The Fragmented State of the Syrian Opposition
The Fragmented State of the Syrian Opposition
This chapter provides a survey of the key events that have demonstrated the opposition’s difficulties in undertaking collective action since the beginning of the uprising in Syria. The regime, as well as certain factors in the Syrian political landscape, contributed to the political fragmentation of the opposition. The historical and structural factors that animated the rise and development of the Syrian opposition continue to set the stage for divisiveness within society as the uprising continues. The chapter identifies the four most important factors behind the fragmentation of and obstacles faced by the opposition: the geography of Syrian cities; a profoundly heterogeneous society; a polarized and still unfledged media environment; and a regional and international context in which many opposing and competing players are attempting to manipulate the uprising to their own benefit. This chapter also demonstrates the ways these factors have influenced key events in the uprising as well as relations within the opposition and between the opposition and outside actors.
Keywords: Syria, Syrian opposition, political fragmentation
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