Syria and Iran have formed a special relation in the past four decades. While researchers of international relations have probed deeply into alliance theory in the past half century, current literature in this field c...Syria and Iran have formed a special relation in the past four decades. While researchers of international relations have probed deeply into alliance theory in the past half century, current literature in this field can hardly explain the informal mechanism for Syria-Iran security cooperation. To unravel the puzzle, this paper attempts to put forward a new hypothesis： quasi-alliance. Based on an empirical study of Syria-Iran special relations in the past four decades, it reveals that quasi-alliance is a unique model for security cooperation in international arena paralleling with formal alliance, and its security arrangement has an unique logic, dynamics, mode of management and attributes. In the new framework of analysis, this paper touches down upon the origins, channels, features and tests of Syria-Iran quasi-alliance by focusing on the diplomatic history of their bilateral relations from 1979 to 2017. The bilateral quasi-alliance practice has undergone three stages of combating Iraqi aggression in 1980s, curbing Israel-Turkey axis in 1990s and balancing U.S.-Israel-Saudi-Turkey coalition in the 21st century, particularly since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.展开更多
After decades of living under oppressive dictatorships,the people of the Arab world are rising up against their countries’leadership.For over nine months now,we have been witnessing massive,large scale,and peaceful d...After decades of living under oppressive dictatorships,the people of the Arab world are rising up against their countries’leadership.For over nine months now,we have been witnessing massive,large scale,and peaceful demonstrations spreading all over the Arab Middle Eastern countries.These mass civic demonstrations have been given many names,including the Arab Spring,Arab uprising,turmoil,tumult,chaos,Arab awakening,Arab revolution,revolt,etc.It is a reform movement on the march that was first started in Tunisia,which moved to Egypt,and then swept across the region to include Yemen,Bahrain,Libya and Syria.Activists in the rest of the Arab world such as Algeria,Jordan,Kuwait,Morocco and Saudi Arabia,were also inspired by the revolts and calls for reform which had been sweeping the Arab world.Protesters and human rights groups from these countries congregate frequently at popular places and landmarks to protest against their regimes and call for political,economical and social reforms.展开更多
The political situation in Egypt has suddenly changed.President Morsi was ousted by the military after one-year in office.The Muslim Brotherhood’s ineptitude in many fields caused Morsi’s downfall.Egypt,which is ent...The political situation in Egypt has suddenly changed.President Morsi was ousted by the military after one-year in office.The Muslim Brotherhood’s ineptitude in many fields caused Morsi’s downfall.Egypt,which is entering a new round of turmoil,may be confronted with fierce struggles among all parties.The contest between the Muslin Brotherhood and the military will be intensified.It will be difficult for the interim government to make any achievements.The foreign interference will be strengthened unceasingly,and both the military and the oppositions will face challenges.展开更多
文摘Syria and Iran have formed a special relation in the past four decades. While researchers of international relations have probed deeply into alliance theory in the past half century, current literature in this field can hardly explain the informal mechanism for Syria-Iran security cooperation. To unravel the puzzle, this paper attempts to put forward a new hypothesis： quasi-alliance. Based on an empirical study of Syria-Iran special relations in the past four decades, it reveals that quasi-alliance is a unique model for security cooperation in international arena paralleling with formal alliance, and its security arrangement has an unique logic, dynamics, mode of management and attributes. In the new framework of analysis, this paper touches down upon the origins, channels, features and tests of Syria-Iran quasi-alliance by focusing on the diplomatic history of their bilateral relations from 1979 to 2017. The bilateral quasi-alliance practice has undergone three stages of combating Iraqi aggression in 1980s, curbing Israel-Turkey axis in 1990s and balancing U.S.-Israel-Saudi-Turkey coalition in the 21st century, particularly since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.
文摘After decades of living under oppressive dictatorships,the people of the Arab world are rising up against their countries’leadership.For over nine months now,we have been witnessing massive,large scale,and peaceful demonstrations spreading all over the Arab Middle Eastern countries.These mass civic demonstrations have been given many names,including the Arab Spring,Arab uprising,turmoil,tumult,chaos,Arab awakening,Arab revolution,revolt,etc.It is a reform movement on the march that was first started in Tunisia,which moved to Egypt,and then swept across the region to include Yemen,Bahrain,Libya and Syria.Activists in the rest of the Arab world such as Algeria,Jordan,Kuwait,Morocco and Saudi Arabia,were also inspired by the revolts and calls for reform which had been sweeping the Arab world.Protesters and human rights groups from these countries congregate frequently at popular places and landmarks to protest against their regimes and call for political,economical and social reforms.
文摘The political situation in Egypt has suddenly changed.President Morsi was ousted by the military after one-year in office.The Muslim Brotherhood’s ineptitude in many fields caused Morsi’s downfall.Egypt,which is entering a new round of turmoil,may be confronted with fierce struggles among all parties.The contest between the Muslin Brotherhood and the military will be intensified.It will be difficult for the interim government to make any achievements.The foreign interference will be strengthened unceasingly,and both the military and the oppositions will face challenges.
