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Abstract (summary)
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Contends that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, who came to power when his father died in 2000, has failed to fulfill the hope that he would begin to transform Syria into a more politically, economically, & culturally open society. Bashar is said to lack the charisma, legitimacy, or experience needed to bring about genuine change. An overview of Syria's social, political, & economic situation at the time of President Hafiz al-Assad's death is followed by a look at Bashar's early moves toward openness & his inability to combat the "Old Guard" that controls Syria's socioeconomic life & is determined to maintain the status quo. The impact on Bashar's regime of Syria's economic crisis, Islamist radicals, globalization, modern technology, & the US occupation of Iraq is examined. Special attention is given to Syria's deteriorating relations with the US, Bashar's attempt to renew peace negotiations with Israel, & Syria's troubles in Lebanon. Prospects for Syria's future are discussed in light of Bashar's failure to politically & economically integrate Syria into the new world. J. Lindroth

The civil war in Syria is getting more complicated with each passing day. In Syria, there is not only the conflict between the regime and opposition, but also wars within wars. Fractions appear within the opposition on ideological and ethnic basis. The rivalry between different opposition groups has recently turned into a conflict. Islamists, but especially Al Qaeda-affiliated ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham), are the groups which have been growing stronger in this conflict. This situation changes the power balance between the regime and opposition in favor of the regime. While on the one hand the aforesaid process damages Turkey's Syria policy, on the other hand, it turns the Syrian border into a growing security threat. In this study, the consequences of the complicated situation, which the conflict in Syria has turned into, will be analyzed. In the conclusion part, what the consequences come to mean for Turkey will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]