Overview

Explores the historical origins of Syria's religious sects and their dominance of the Syrian social scene. It identifies their distinct beliefs and relates how the actions of the religious authorities and political entrepreneurs acting on behalf of their sects expose them to sectarian violence, culminating in the dissolution of the nation-state.

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9781137531490

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With particular relevance to understanding the genesis of the regional civil war sparked in 2011 as a result of the 'Arab Spring,' The Religious Roots of the Syrian Conflict contains thoughtful and illuminating portraits of Syria's religious and sectarian communities, describes their origins and development over time, and identifies sources of intractable conflict among some groups. Tomass provides useful and moving contributions to our understanding of these societies and communities as he engages with and advances recent scholarship on religious studies, economic history, the study of democratization, Syrian history, and the history of the Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party in Iraq and Syria. - Hannibal Travis, Professor of Law, Florida International University, USA The big hole in how the sectarian Middle East persists to roil global relations has been filled with this richly documented, highly readable book. Tomass moves beyond jargon, theory, and partisanship that have so obscured successful strategy with regard to the Arab and Muslim region. Reading these pages points both to the need to recognize the justified passing of the democratic nation-state ideal in the region and the possibilities for multi-religious tolerance there, however remote. - Eden Naby, cultural historian and author of The Assyrians of the Middle East: The History and Culture of a Minority Christian Community

Author Information

Mark Tomass is Adjunct Professor at Harvard University Extension School, USA. His research focuses on civil conflict in the Middle East, organized crime, and monetary and credit crises. His writing draws from his experience as a native of Syria and from living through the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-90 and the Muslim Brothers' Revolt of 1976-82.

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