03085cam a2200493 i 4500 261529996 RAND 20200811100936.0 100201s2013 cauab b 100 0 eng d 0833079581 (pbk. : alk. paper) 9780833079589 (pbk. : alk. paper) RAND/RR-213-OSD $9.95 paperback CstmoR CstmoR a-sy Martini, Jeffrey. author. Syria as an arena of strategic competition / Jeffrey Martini, Erin York, and William Young. Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2013. 11 pages : color illustrations, map ; 28 cm text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia unmediated n rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier volume nc rdacarrier "RAND Corporation." "This research was conducted within the Intelligence Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute"--Back cover. Caption title. Includes bibliographical references. Less than two years since the beginning of the uprising in Syria, localized protests have morphed into full-blown civil conflict. Along with internal escalation, the conflict has drawn in external actors, including Syria’s neighbors and extra-regional powers. With the regional balance of power hinging on the conflict’s outcome, Middle Eastern and extra-regional states have taken sides—some in support of the Assad regime, others in support of the opposition. RAND convened a group of 26 experts who cover Syria and the various external players to participate in an analytic exercise on November 16, 2012, to generate a greater understanding of the parties and issues in play. The report begins by analyzing what is driving both regional (e.g., Iran and Saudi Arabia) and extra-regional (e.g., Russia) players to intervene in the Syrian conflict. It then proceeds to look at the internal actors (e.g., the Free Syrian Army and Alawite community) that may operate as conduits of external influence. The report concludes with an examination of the relationships between external and internal actors and possible effects of these groups’ actions. Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format. Description based on print version record. Balance of power. Competition, International. Influence (Psychology) Strategic rivalries (World politics) Syria History Protests, 2011- Syria Politics and government 2000- Syria Strategic aspects. York, Erin. author. Young, William. author. National Defense Research Institute (U.S.). Intelligence Policy Center. Rand Corporation. United States. Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense. Online Access http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR213.html 599997 599997