Behaviorology of Saudi Arabia in the Syrian Crisis on the Basis of the Balance of Power Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD candidate of regional studies, the Middle East, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran

Abstract

Syria is a geopolitically significant country in the West Asian region, regarded as a means of changing the balance of power by competing parties in the region. The intervention of regional actors in the recent Syrian crisis can also be explained in terms of their efforts to change the balance of power in their favor. Saudi Arabia was among the active countries in the Syrian crisis in the beginning but gradually changed its policies towards this crisis due to the internal and external factors. This descriptive-analytical research is aimed at identifying Saudi Arabia's behavior towards the Syrian crisis in terms of the theory of balance of power. The findings of this research reveal that Riyadh's behavior towards the Syrian crisis can be categorized in five stages including crisis management aimed at changing Damascus’ behavior, active diplomacy against Damascus, direct military, financial and political support to the oppositions, putting an end to  supporting ISIS and confronting Assad, and finally, accepting Assad's survival in power without Iranian attendance. This research explores the feasibility of the final Saudi Arabia policy of Assad's survival without Iran's attendance.

Keywords

References

- Blanga, Yehuda U. "Saudi Arabia’s Motives in the Syrian." Middle East Policy Council, 2017: 62-45.
- Karam, Karam. Despite enormous reconstruction costs, Syria vows to rebuild. October 3, 2018. https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2018/ 1003/Despite-enormous-reconstruction-costs-Syria-vows-to-rebuild (accessed December 3, 2018).
- Aboufadel , Leith . Jaysh Al-Islam’s commanders leave Douma. April 12, 2018. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jaysh-al-islams-commanders-leave -douma/ (accessed November 30, 2018).
- Aljazeera. Iraq: ISIL says Omar al-Shishani killed in air strike. July 14, 2016. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/iraq-isil-omar-al-shishani-killed -air-strike-160713203202458.html (accessed Decemeber 9, 2018).
- Blanga, Yehuda U. "Saudi Arabia's Motives in the Syrian Civil War." Middle East Policy, Vol. XXIV, No. 4, 2017: 45-62.
- Chulov, Martin , and Ewen MacAskill. Saudi Arabia plans to fund Syria rebel army. June 22, 2012. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/22/ saudi-arabia-syria-rebel-army (accessed November 16, 2018).
- Chulov, Martin. January 22, 2012. https://www.theguardian.com/world/ 2012/jan/22/saudi-withdraw-arab-league-monitors-syria (accessed November 14, 2018).
- Daniel, Pipes. The Greater Syria; The History of an ambition. Oxford University, 1990.
- David, Goodman J. Saudi Arabia Ramps Up Pressure on Syria. August 8, 2011. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/middleeast/09saudi.html (accessed November 13, 2018).
- Drysdale, Alasdair. "Syria and Iraq: The Geopathology of a Relationship." GeoJournal, 1992: 347-355.
- Ginat, Rami. Syria and the Doctrine of Arab Neutralism: From Independence to Dependence. Sussex Academic Press, 2005.
- Golubkova, Katya , and Gabriela Baczynska. Russia, Saudis fail in talks to agree on fate of Syria's Assad. August 11, 2015. https://www.reuters.com/article /us-meast-crisis-russia-assad-idUSKCN0QG13G20150811#W7tu8ixewoUOMoEe.97 (accessed Decemeber 4, 2018).
- Hafez, Mohamed Hosam . The higher negotiation committee and Syrian negotiation committee. Al Sharq Forum , 2018.
- Jenkins, Brian Michael. The Dynamics of Syria’s Civil War. RAND Corporation, 2014.
- Karouny, Mariam . Saudi edges Qatar to control Syrian rebel support. May 31, 2013. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-saudi-insight/saudi-edges-qatar-to-control-syrian-rebel-support-idUSBRE94U0ZV20130531 (accessed November 19, 2018).
- Landis, Joshua . October 11, 2009. https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/ alex-on-saudi-arabia-hamidi-on-turkey/ (accessed December 4, 2018).
- Lucas, Scott. The effects of Russian intervention in the Syria crisis. UK Government’s Department for International Development, 2015.
- Lund , Aron . Syria’s Civil War, Government Victory or Frozen Conflict? . Swedish Defence Research Agency, 2018.
- Maria, Abi-Habib. March 29, 2012. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ SB10001424052702304177104577311572820862442 (accessed November 16, 2018).
- Mark , Mazzetti , and Matt Apuzzo. U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels. 23 January, 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/ 2016/01/24/world/middleeast/us-relies-heavily-on-saudi-money-to-support-syrian-rebels.html (accessed November 16, 2018).
- Peel, Michael. Russia presses EU to pay up for rebuilding Syria. January 10, 2018. https://www.ft.com/content/21483e5c-f22a-11e7-b220-857e26d1aca4 (accessed December 10, 2018).
- Phillips, Christopher . "Eyes Bigger than Stomachs: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Syria." Middle East Policy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1, 2017: 36-47.
- Phillips, Christopher . Gulf Actors and the Syria Crisis. Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, Collected Papers, Volume 1., 2015.
- Reuters. October 2015. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-saudi/saudi-says-difficult-to-see-role-for-iran-in-syria-peacemaking-idUSKCN0SD1SG20151019 (accessed November 14, 2018).
- Rubin, Barry. The Truth about Syria. Palgrave-MacMillan, 2007.
- Sands, Phil , Justin Velaand , and Taimur Khan. Saudi Prince Bandar promised a victory he could not deliver. April 16, 2014. https://www.thenational.ae/world/saudi-prince-bandar-promised-a-victory-he-could-not-deliver-1.319813 (accessed November 19, 2018).
- Sanger, David E. , Eric Schmitt , and Ben Hubbard. Trump Ends Covert Aid to Syrian Rebels Trying to Topple Assad. July 19, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/world/middleeast/cia-arming-syrian-rebels.html?module=inline (accessed December 4, 2018).
- Schoeller, Martin . Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Talks to TIME About the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's Plans and President Trump. April 29, 2018. http://time.com/5228006/mohammed-bin-salman-interview-transcript-full (accessed December 6, 2018).
- Sunayama, Sonoko. Syria and Saudi Arabia, Collaboration and Conflicts in the Oil Era. I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd, 2007.
- The Associated Press. www.haaretz.com. August 24, 2017. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/washington-riyadh-urge-syrian-opposition-to-accept-assad-role-1.5445534 (accessed December 6, 2018).
- Todman, Will. Gulf States’ Policies on Syria. Center for Strategic & International Studies, October 2016.
- www.an7a.com. April 23, 2016. https://www.an7a.com/2016/04/23/
- www.middleeasteye.net. October 31, 2017. https://www.middleeasteye.net/ news/qatar-maybe-supported-al-qaeda-syria-says-former-pm-1280907406 (accessed October 22, 2018).
- www.spa.gov.sa. february 12, 2012. https://www.spa.gov.sa/969576 (accessed October 17, 2018).
Security Horizons
Volume 11, Issue 40 - Serial Number 40
October 2018
Pages 155-178

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 21 January 2019
  • Revise Date: 12 June 2019
  • Accept Date: 17 June 2019
  • Publish Date: 22 November 2018

Share

How to cite

Statistics