This paper examines the chronology of the UN mediation launched in Syria in 2012 and the different tactics that were used by the mediators. It then analyses why the mediation was not successful at finding a long-term peace agreement. To lay the foundations, the first chapter depicts the circumstances of the war and the course of the peace process. Then a UN document is presented, which serves as a guide for successful mediation. To answer the research question, the analyses of several authors regarding the UN mediation will be summarized to find out at which point the Syrian mediation did not correspond to the guide.
In the third part of the paper, the political system of Syria is identified in an authoritarian typology. In the discussion I will reflect on whether the traditional classification is sufficient or to which extent its potential shortcomings could also represent a problematic approach to the mediation process. This would be decisive for our understanding of the failure. The conclusion will summarize the explanations as analyzed in the research field and the findings of the discussion as well as the consequences this analysis has for further research.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
a. Methodology
2. UN Mediation during the Syrian War
a. Overview
b. Aspects of Mediation
c. State of the Art
3. Syria as an Authoritarian Regime
a. State of the Art
b. Classification
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Research Objective and Themes
This paper investigates the reasons behind the failure of UN-led mediation efforts during the Syrian civil war. By applying the "United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation" and political science theories of authoritarianism, the research aims to identify how structural shortcomings, the nature of the Assad regime, and the neglect of ethno-religious factors undermined peace processes.
- Analysis of UN mediation mandates and institutional challenges.
- Evaluation of the Syrian conflict within the framework of authoritarian regime typologies.
- Critique of international mediation strategies through a post-colonial perspective.
- Examination of the role of sectarian identities in regime stability and mediation failures.
- Assessment of the impact of UN Security Council disunity on peace negotiations.
Excerpt from the Book
b. Aspects of Mediation
Since the Syrian war is not the only conflict that mediators have been sent too, the UN Secretary General developed the ‘United Nations Guidance for Effective Mediation’ (United Nations 2012a) in response to a request from the General Assembly.
It is structured as a reference document based on different experiences which identifies eight factors as fundamental for the success of a mediation: preparedness, consent, impartiality, inclusivity, national ownership, international law and normative frameworks, coherence, coordination and complementarity, as well as quality peace agreements.
The aspect of consent refers to the willingness of the conflict parties to participate in the mediation and to find a peaceful solution. The mediator must be impartial and according to the principle of inclusivity, the opinion of all parties to the conflict must be included and represented in the course of the mediation. National ownership regards ‘the commitment of conflict parties and broader society to the agreements and their implementation’ (United Nations 2012a, p. 7), which implies that the mediation process must be adapted to local cultures and norms in order to be effective. Coherence refers to coordinating approaches with all the involved actors, whereas complementarity entails a clear distribution of competences and tasks between these actors. (United Nations 2012a)
These categories will be used in the following in order to analyse which preconditions were not given in the Syrian peace process and consequently led to the failure of the whole mediation.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the humanitarian crisis in Syria and outlines the research question regarding why UN mediation efforts have failed to achieve a power transition.
a. Methodology: Describes the instrumental case study approach, the time frame (2011–2018), and the qualitative literature analysis used to evaluate mediation strategies.
2. UN Mediation during the Syrian War: Provides a historical overview of the conflict and the various attempts by UN special envoys to negotiate peace.
a. Overview: Details the escalation of the Syrian conflict and the entry of international actors.
b. Aspects of Mediation: Introduces the UN Guidance for Effective Mediation framework, defining success factors like consent and inclusivity.
c. State of the Art: Summarizes scholarly literature criticizing the UN’s mediation mandate and the lack of consensus among international powers.
3. Syria as an Authoritarian Regime: Examines the nature of the Assad regime and whether its structure hindered peace negotiations.
a. State of the Art: Reviews classical and modern theories of authoritarianism, including the work of Hannah Arendt and Barbara Geddes.
b. Classification: Applies the Geddes typology to the Syrian regime, characterizing it as a personalistic regime with military and single-party features.
4. Discussion: Reflects on the interaction between authoritarian regime characteristics and the limitations of Western-style mediation, highlighting the role of sectarianism.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, noting that the neglect of religious components and the rigid focus on power transition led to mediation failure.
Keywords
Syria, UN Mediation, Authoritarianism, Bashar al-Assad, Peace Process, Geneva Communiqué, Barbara Geddes, Conflict Resolution, Inclusivity, Sectarianism, Geopolitics, Regime Change, International Relations, Middle East, Diplomacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The book analyzes the failure of UN-led mediation attempts to resolve the Syrian civil war that began in 2011.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The work combines international conflict resolution strategies, specifically UN mediation frameworks, with political science theories on authoritarian regime types.
What is the central research question?
The paper addresses why, despite the efforts of multiple UN special envoys, no durable peace agreement or power transition was achieved in Syria over the eight-year period analyzed.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author uses an instrumental, theory-testing case study approach, analyzing qualitative data from scholarly literature, UN resolutions, and media reports from 2011 to 2018.
What is the focus of the main body of the work?
The main body examines the specific factors of mediation success defined by the UN—such as consent and inclusivity—and analyzes the Syrian government using authoritarian typologies to determine if these factors were absent or ignored.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key concepts include Syrian civil war, UN mediation, authoritarian regimes, personalistic leadership, and the impact of religious and sectarian dynamics on political stability.
How does the author classify the Syrian regime?
The author classifies the Assad government as a personalistic regime led by a military officer, supported by a dominant party, which is highly resistant to external pressure and regime change.
Why does the author argue that religion is a neglected factor?
The author contends that both the UN mediation guidelines and the academic literature analyzed fail to account for the deep-seated ethno-religious rivalries—specifically between Alawites and Sunnis—which are fundamental to understanding why the Assad regime refuses to compromise.
What role does the UN Security Council play in this failure?
The author highlights that the Security Council's internal disunity and the veto power exercised by Russia and China prevented the enforcement of coercive measures, leaving mediators with only "procedural leverage" rather than the ability to enforce a settlement.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, The United Nations Mediation During The Syrian War. Tactics And Reasons For An Unsuccessful Long-Term Peace Agreement, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/900192
