The Assad Regime and Palestinian Exploitation

This chapter explores the complex relationship between the Syrian regime under Assad and the Palestinian cause, revealing how Assad publicly supported Palestinian liberation while manipulating Palestinian factions to serve Syria's interests. It examines the strategic use of the Palestinian issue by Arab states, particularly in the context of alliances during the Lebanese civil war, and traces the evolving dynamics of the Syrian conflict from peaceful protests to a multifaceted civil war. The discussion highlights the socio-political grievances that fueled the uprising and the subsequent contradictions faced by the Syrian populace amidst external interventions and varying perspectives on the movement.