Findings

Abstract

The attitudinal prism of the Syrian decision-makers remained constant throughout the three periods of the crisis. The concern over the unity of Lebanon and its implication for the aspirational goal of Arab unity, the belief in the ‘historic and natural indivisibility of Syria and Lebanon, and the deep-rooted suspicion of Israel’s intentions in the area, constituted the major values of the Syrian decision-making elite that consistently motivated policies throughout the civil war. Closely allied with these fundamental values was a strongly held Syrian conviction that the Lebanese events were a manifestation of a much wider ‘plot’ perpetrated by imperialist and Zionist forces against the Arab national cause. To the Syrian decision-makers, the struggle against the Zionists and their imperialist backers ‘is the yardstick of how reactionary or progressive people are. Any Palestinian or Arab potential diverted from the battle against Zionism and directed towards national forces is a reactionary move, even if those national forces happen to be right-wing.’¹ The consistent adherence to this and the previously mentioned values governed the Syrian relations with, and images of, other relevant actors.