Redrawing the Lines in the Sand? Quests for Decentralisation, Regional Autonomy and Independence Among Syrian Kurds and South Yemeni Separatists

Abstract

Kwarten offers a refreshing perspective on how the Arab uprisings in 2011 gave impetus to hitherto marginalised regions to break away from the central state. Exploiting collapsing state institutions while siding with intervening foreign powers, they aim for self-determination. Kwarten argues that these breakaway groups stand little chance of success of militarily attaining their political goals. To their foreign backers, they are allies of convenience, not conviction. He illustrates this argument by two case studies, i.e. the Syrian Kurds and the separatists in South Yemen. After analysing their relative success in ridding themselves from the central state’s authority, the author concludes that the reluctance of the international community to involve these breakaway groups in stabilisation efforts may well create a league of party spoilers to any future peace deal.