Despite its contentious politics under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey remains a modern political entity compared to many Arab nations. Turkey’s European heritage, rooted in its possession of Eastern Thrace and Istanbul as a cultural hub, has contributed to its comparatively progressive governance. This is not always apparent to Europeans, but the difference is stark to those familiar with Arab-Islamic states.
Syria’s Leadership Crisis
The current Syrian leadership can only be described as occupiers. They were not elected by the people, despite their claims of representing a predominantly Muslim Syria—a claim that is itself questionable.
While they assert that elections reflect the will of the people, they have postponed elections for four years, knowing full well that Syrians would reject their rule.
When this leadership first seized power, they promised a three-month transition to establish a legitimate government. Yet, they have failed to deliver on this promise. A significant majority of Syrian Muslims oppose a society governed by Sharia law or divided into classes based on religion or ethnicity.
Furthermore, Syrians, with a deep awareness of their ancient and independent history, resist the notion of being subjected to foreign rule.
Syria’s civilization predates Arab culture by millennia. This is a fact that the current leadership, with its lack of nationalistic vision and obsession with religious domination, fails to grasp. Their governance, akin to the far-right movements in Europe, is defined by religious loyalty rather than national unity.
Syrians themselves are increasingly vocal about the erosion of their sovereignty, with foreign nationals holding positions of power and armed foreign forces occupying parts of their homeland without even the pretense of diplomatic negotiations.
Syria’s Historical and Cultural Identity
To understand the incompatibility of Syria’s current path, we must examine its historical identity.
Syria’s coastal regions, much like Turkey’s, have historically been Eurocentric or Mediterranean in orientation. The genetic makeup of these populations reflects this heritage. For instance, haplogroup J2, which dominates the Syrian and Lebanese coasts, links them to Southern Europe and Anatolia, in contrast to the J1 haplogroup prevalent in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula.
Throughout its history, Syria has been a hub of Mediterranean civilizations. The Neo-Hittite Empire spoke Indo-European languages, and the Phoenicians prioritized connections with Cyprus, Greece, and Spain rather than venturing inland toward Mesopotamia or the Arabian Peninsula.
When Alexander the Great arrived in Syria to drive out the Persians, he was received as a liberator, especially in Tyre. Hellenistic culture thrived in Syria, producing philosophers and thinkers who contributed to a flourishing intellectual scene.
Similarly, Syria experienced a golden age of culture and prosperity under Roman and Byzantine rule. In contrast, the Arab invasion marked a significant departure from this trajectory. Even during Ottoman rule, Syria remained a vibrant and diverse society until the empire’s decline in its final century.
The Path to Failure
Syria’s current trajectory is destined for failure due to two key factors:
1. Cultural Incompatibility with Pan-Arabism:
Pan-Arabism, a concept that has failed repeatedly, clashes with Syria’s unique historical and cultural identity. Arab nations have demonstrated their two-faced nature over the past decade, oscillating between support and opposition to Syrian regimes based on political convenience rather than genuine concern for the Syrian people. Syrians, led by true representatives of their nation, will eventually reject the imposed compatibility with Arabian Peninsula culture, just as they have in the past.
2. The Role of Historical Legacy:
Syrians have always looked westward, culturally and historically. Their Mediterranean identity, shaped by centuries of connection to Europe and Anatolia, is fundamentally at odds with the eastern-oriented, sharia-based governance imposed by their current rulers. This clash of identities ensures that any attempt to align Syria with the Arab world will ultimately unravel.
A Better Path Forward
While Turkish influence in Syria is far from ideal, Turkey’s model of governance, which at least attempts democracy, offers a more compatible alternative for Syria’s future. Turkey’s state model, influenced by its historical ties to Europe and its relatively modern political system, aligns more closely with Syria’s cultural and historical heritage.
It is time for Syrians to reject the failed ideologies of pan-Arabism and embrace their own rich legacy. By reconnecting with their Mediterranean roots, Syria can pave a path toward a future that honors its ancient civilization and cultural identity, free from the burdens of external domination and regressive political ideologies.
The Failure of International Law
The international community must act decisively on behalf of all Syrians if the concept of nation-states is to be taken seriously. When nation-states fail, the very foundation of international law collapses with them.
The global order depends on respecting sovereignty, the rule of law, and the rights of nations to self-determination. Syria’s descent into chaos and occupation, with its people divided and disenfranchised, poses a threat to these principles.
Time is running out, and the stakes are high. Half of Syria’s population belongs to minority groups—whether religious or ethnic—and their survival depends on immediate intervention.
The world cannot afford to stand by in indifference while Syrians endure oppression, displacement, and the erosion of their sovereignty.
Protecting All Syrians, Especially Minorities
The international community must prioritize the protection of all Syrians, especially minorities, who make up half the population. These groups are particularly vulnerable under the current regime and face systemic discrimination, displacement, and violence.
Efforts to restore a representative government in Syria must ensure the inclusion and protection of these minorities, as their well-being is crucial to rebuilding a unified and stable nation.
International inaction risks not only the collapse of Syria but also the erosion of the principles that uphold global peace and stability. It is time to take a stand for Syria’s people, its history, and its future.
Rafael is the Chairman and founder of the The Levantine Greek Association.
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