The Awakening of the Syrian Army: General Husni al-Za'im's Coup and Reign, 1949: Origins of the Syrian Army's Enduring Role in Syrian Politics

Abstract

"30 March 2011. As I write, the Middle East is in turmoil. Beginning with Tunisia in December 2010 and spreading to Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria, revolutions in the form of popular protests and demonstrations have taken over news headlines and political discussions. In Syria, government forces have reacted with violence and force. As of 29 March 2011, Amnesty International has estimated nearly one hundred people killed.1 Syria is not the only Middle Eastern country to respond to protests with force. But in a different light, Syria certainly stands out. The spirit of protest and revolution that has swept other Arab countries took much longer to stir Syria. Why did Syrians, living in a country notorious for gross human rights abuses, rampant corruption, and political repression, begin protests significant enough to garner a government response, in March, months after most other countries? Although this thesis is not attempting to answer this question, it does seek to provide a background so that one may better understand current events in Syria today.