The Syrian Conflict - Essay Example

The Syrian Conflict The Syrian conflict is the latest Arab Spring uprising witnessed in the Arab countries within a period less than ten years. The conflict began in March 2011 as simple civilian demonstration in Damascus demanding the release of political prisoners. In response to the demonstration, the government of President Bashar al-Assad ordered for police intervention that saw arrest of 35 protesters as several died from police shootings on the first day of demonstrations dubbed “Day of Dignity.” To the south in the town of Dera, security forces shot and killed several protesters in a “Day of Rage” rally (Global News). In the demonstrations, civilians demanded that President Hassan al Bashar al-Assad puts to an end the emergency rule that lasted for 50 years and resign from power. As the protests spread over the country, so did the government deploy more security forces who continued to kill unarmed protesters. The situation got severe due to humanitarian emergencies, attracting the intervention of the international community. Many countries the world has called on President al-Assad to resign. In fact, the Arab League of Nations appeared very voluminous in advocating for resignation of al-Assad but faced opposition from Algeria, which is also a member of the league. The international community only reached a common resolution that saw strict sanction of Syria from any international trade. The sanction did little to stop Bashar al-Assad’s government from stopping the war. The government of President Bashar al-Assad moved on to ignore and reject efforts by international community to negotiate for a ceasefire in Syria. Bashar al-Assad reportedly refused to comply with peace missions by Kofi Annan sent by international community to broker peace deals between the government and protesters. In response to the rejection of peace deals, the international community resolved for direct supply of weapons to the protesters to intensify war against the Syrian government. The war still continues with President Bashar al-Assad threatening to begin the use of biological weapons against the protesters (Global News). This happens as the international community maintains vigilance on Syria and hopping for defeat of the government by the protesters. Instead of distantly watching the widespread and disproportionate killing of civilians Syria, the international community ought to have applied international relations theories like realism, neoliberal institutionalism and constructivism. Realism is traditional theory that argues that political constraints in international relations are due to egocentric human nature (Donnelly 2). Realists argue that if in any case international government would be absent, states could operate by the rule of the jungle where the strong survive. Donnelly add that realism theory holds that the system of international relation is anarchic in nature with every country striving to preserve its own interests primarily defined in terms of power (4). Realists believe that countries exist in sovereignty and that their involvement in international politics is self-driven and not compellable by any external force. Each state struggles to improve its security with intent of securing a more powerful status in the international politic (Donnelly 8). Realists assume that in the international system, powerful countries have the greatest say in the international politics. Power woes and country interests have scuttle peace missions in Syria. In the case of Syria, the tenets of realism would be practical if USA held the greatest influence in the NATO. Moreover, realism in the case of Syrian conflict can work if the entire NATO members who hold veto power come into agreement and decide to put their interest aside but work towards restoration of peace in Syria. The refusal by Russia and China to support proposal by US to directly intervene the war compromises the workability of concepts of realism in Syria. This is because, if America and its supporting NATO members deliberate on engaging direct military operation against Al-Assad’s government, Russia and China dictated by tenets of realism would also organize retaliatory attack against America and other NATO members. This has the possibility of ditching the whole world into war. Neoliberal institutionalism is a school of thought that believes that international institutions have great role of shaping political and economic relations of international community (McGowan, 149). The main purpose of neoliberal institutionalism is to act as mediator by devise solution for interstate disagreements for the betterment of the interstate relations. Neoliberal institutionalism accepts that every state commit to purposes understood to best serve their self-interests. Neoliberals ostensibly concern with absolute rather relative gains for the states. McGowan adds that neoliberals do not approve any form of deception in striking interstate deals and believes in total truth and transparency of state (149). Trustable international institutions created on the basis of neoliberal doctrines include and not limited to World Trade Organization, United Nations, United Nations Security Council and International Monetary Fund to ensure fairness and neutrality in settling interstate conflicts. Neoliberals believe that intergovernmental institutions have sufficient and appropriate mechanisms to monitor behaviors of the members and punishing ill motives. In the case of Syrian war, application of neoliberal doctrines can only become possible at the particular institution’s level. For example, the Arab League of Nations as an institution created to monitor the affairs of Arabic nations moved in solidarity to advocate for the resignation of al-Assad. However, this never happened due to different stand objected by Algeria that defended al-Assad’s regime. As for Syrian conflict, the doctrines of neoliberal intuitionalism cannot materialize if in case one representative into the particular institution does not share the same views as majority. Any international institution intending to pose certain disciplinary measures against Syrian government and the supporting states must secure ascent of all representatives. According to Zehfuss, proponents of Constructivism theory of international relation argue that ideation rather than material things define the main basis for human as well as international relations (4). Constructivists believe the current social association and relations have very strong historical backgrounds primarily determined by the common ideas and not material forces. Constructivists also argue that the nature of the shared ideas and doctrines by actors dictate the interests and identities of the actors. As such, constructivists believe that the ideas, norms and values commonly held by particular actors in the international spectrum tend to impact strong influence on the global politics. As demonstrated by Zehfuss, the actors regain and maintain their status through continued social interaction and practices (6). In the Syrian case, the tenets of constructivism can only be effective if for instance the Arab League of Nations comprising of countries perceived to share common ideologies unanimously agree to demand for resignation of al-Assad. In addition, the theory of constructivism would be effective if USA, China, Russia and other members of NATO shared similar political, social and economic ideologies. This would see smooth execution of the mission by UN without opposition from any member. It is imperative to note that if America can by any mistake ignore the ideological differences it has with China and Russia, and apply the constructivism theory with friendly states to attack Syria, there is high possibility of China-Russia and allies wage against USA and allies. Alternatively, constructivism in the Syrian case would easily accommodate American views about Syria if the opposing China and Russia did not have veto powers in the UN Security Council. Having understood the three theories of international relation, the following policies can help resolve the Syrian conflict with any form of conflict spill to the neighboring nations. 1. International community through the UN Security Council should censure Algeria to support other members of Arab League of Nations to pressure al-Assad to resign, as this will automatically end the war. 2. The World Trade Organization should establish strict mechanism of punishing any member country found to trade with the government of al-Assad. This will help reduce money supply as well as food materials and other vital resources to weaken al-Assad’s strength. 3. UN Security Council should establish disciplinary measures against any state found to supply the government of al-Assad with weapons. This will help exhaust the stockpile of weapons and artilleries used by al-Assad to fight opposition and thus become desolate and helpless to surrender. Works cited Donnelly, Jack. Realism and International Relations. Cambridge, [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2000. Print. Global News. Timeline of events: Uprising in Syria. 2012. Web. . McGowan, Patrick J. Power, Wealth and Global Equity: An International Relations Textbook for Africa. Lansdowne: UCT-Press, 2009. Print. Zehfuss, Maja. Constructivism in International Relations: The Politics of Reality. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. Read More