The Soviet-Syrian Relationship Since 1955

For most of the last 35 years, Soviet-Syrian friendship has been a key factor in superpower rivalry in the Middle East. In this study, Sabrina Ramet examines the motives, instruments, successes and failures of Soviet and Syrian policies toward each other. The relationship has revolved around a common interest in military and economic cooperation, expecially in counterbalancing the US-Israeli alliance. Ramet argues that despite these shared concerns, the warmth of relations that existed...
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For most of the last 35 years, Soviet-Syrian friendship has been a key factor in superpower rivalry in the Middle East. In this study, Sabrina Ramet examines the motives, instruments, successes and failures of Soviet and Syrian policies toward each other. The relationship has revolved around a common interest in military and economic cooperation, expecially in counterbalancing the US-Israeli alliance. Ramet argues that despite these shared concerns, the warmth of relations that existed between the two nations from 1955 to 1958 has never been duplicated. In fact, she contends that since Gorbachev came to power the Soviet-Syrian relationship has gradually cooled, and speculates on directions the association may take in the future.