Khazanov A. M. Gasratyan S. M. The foreign policy of Syria in the 1970s – the first half of the 1980s.
DOI:10.22394/2225-8272-2024-13-1-61-69 EDN: AWXSNS
Keywords:
Syria, H. Assad, Middle East, Lebanon, Iran, Israel, Iraq, USSR, USA, civil war in LebanonAbstract
The purpose of the article is to analyze the foreign policy of Syria in the 1970s and
the first half of the 1980s. The authors revealed the role of Syria in the Middle East conflict. It was
found out that the basis of Syrian foreign policy in the specified chronological framework was the
fight against Israel. The article shows the position of Syria, the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO), Israel and various Lebanese forces, groups and denominations (Maronite Christians, Mus
lims, etc.) during the Lebanese civil war, the positive and negative aspects of Damascus's interven
tion under the mandate of the League of Arab States (LAS) in the Lebanese civil war. The study
provides an analysis of the main directions of Syria's foreign policy in the chronological boundaries
like the fight against Israel; allied relations with the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, rap
prochement with Iran since 1979; joint actions and contradictions with the OPP, Lebanon and Iraq;
relations with Libya; the role of Syria in the Arab League; etc. The important role of the United
States in the Near East is noted. The authors note Israel's reliance on military force in solving the
Middle East crisis, the role of the Soviet Union in supporting Syria in the international arena and the
anti-Israeli foundation of Damascus' foreign policy.
The research methodology includes interdisciplinary fundamental principles and approaches.
The main methodological approaches include the principle of historicism. Historicism is used to
study the development of Syria's foreign policy relations with other countries and international or
ganizations during this period. The study is based on archival materials like diplomatic documents,
correspondence, agreements, statements and other official documents related to Syria's foreign
policy. The goal a comparative legal method is to compare Syria's approaches and actions in the
international arena with other countries in the region. The combination of these methodologies
allows to conduct a more comprehensive and deeper analysis of Syria's foreign policy activities
during the given historical period and identify the essence and features of the country's foreign
policy strategy at that time.
As a result, the authors conclude that Syria's foreign policy in the 1970s and the first half of the
1980s was characterized by a clearly pronounced anti-Israeli orientation. In Lebanon, Syria set a
course to create a state loyal to it and supported pro-Syrian groups in every possible way. Rela
tions with the Palestine Liberation Organization were ambiguous, but for all the disagreements, the
main unifying force of Syria with the Palestine Liberation Organization was an anti-Israeli orienta
tion. Since 1979, the rapprochement with Iran has begun. The main allies of Syria were constantly
the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, which provided Damascus with powerful financial, eco
nomic, diplomatic and military assistance.
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