Pax Syriana

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Pax Syriana (Lat., "Syrian Peace") is a term used in the study of international relations in the Middle East, usually pertaining to efforts by Syria to influence its neighbors, particularly Lebanon.[1] The idea behind Pax Syriana is that Syria, through diplomacy and military strength, could secure peace in Lebanon. The term is modelled after Pax Romana and Pax Britannica.

An earlier reference was published in Time Magazine in 1976, referring to Syrian efforts to impose a truce during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War.[2][3] It has recently been used to refer to the period between 1990 and 2005 when there was reduced conflict within Lebanon, usually attributed to Syrian hegemony and military occupation in the region. It may be used with emphasis on the relative calm following suppression of the Lebanese Civil War, or on suggestions of Syria's having intentions for annexing or otherwise pacifying Lebanon.[4]

The name of the 2005 film Syriana was apparently inspired by Pax Syriana. According to the film's publicity materials, "Syriana" was "a very real term used by Washington think-tanks to describe a hypothetical reshaping of the Middle East."[5] In an online discussion with The Washington Post in November 2005, Syriana director Stephen Gaghan said he saw Syriana as "a great word that could stand for man's perpetual hope of remaking any geographic region to suit his own needs."[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lebanon Pax Syriana. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  2. ^ Back to the Brink with a Demi-Coup. Time Magazine (March 22, 1976).
  3. ^ Veenhoven, Willem A., ed. (1976), Case Studies on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: A World Survey, vol. III, Foundation for the Study of Plural Societies
  4. ^ Ghattas, Kim (March 24, 2005). The end of sectarianism in Lebanon?. Bitterlemons-international.org/. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
  5. ^ Syriana: About the Film. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  6. ^ "Movies: 'Syriana'", Online transcript, The Washington Post, November 15, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.


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