Before studying the material for this week, I was familiar with the idea of fragile states, which refers to a group of nations that are susceptible to economic hardship, political upheaval, and insurgent wars. Based on my understanding, the weak and unstable administrations in these political entities cannot provide their citizens with a fundamental sense of security. They are usually typified by significant economic fragility and severe political and sociological fragmentation.
Syria was listed among the nations with the worst failed state status in The Fund for Peace’s Failing states Index because it has registered the most dramatic increase in hostilities over the last ten years (Michael & Guzansky, 2018). The current stark state of affairs in this country dates back to the Arab jurisdictional nation-state regime that emerged after World War I (Gökce, 2018). The system, comprising of ephemeral entities with weak self-identities, was prevalently ill-suited to serve its citizens due to the existence of diverse ethnical groups, religions, and sub-autocracies.
Terrorist groups have transformed Syria’s neighbors into breeding grounds and launch pads for operations throughout the rest of the region (Betz, 2019). For instance, the self-declared Islamic State (ISIS), which has its headquarters in Syria, was able to expand its network throughout the Sinai Peninsula by insidiously establishing new territories in Iraq and Lebanon (Betz, 2021). Despite their locations, the group is capable of functioning and recruiting individuals from neighboring countries to perpetuate terrorism in light of the expanded network. According to an article by Harsch titled “Measuring State Fragility: A New Approach to Identifying and Strengthening Vulnerable Countries”, the international community should emphasize on helping Syria establish effective bureaucracies, that can strengthen its fiscal capacity and stimulate rigorous development outcomes in efforts to address its political instability (2020).
References
Betz, F. (2019). Political theory of societal association: Case of the failed state of Syria, Part 1. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 7(11), 271.
Betz, F. (2021). Political theory of societal association: Case of the failed state of Syria—Part 5 Brexit. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 8(6).
Gökce, G. (2018). Phenomenon of failed state and refugee/immigration problem: Analysis on Syria example. Inquiry, 3(1).
Michael, K., & Guzansky, Y. (2018). The dangers of failing Middle East States. Middle East Quarterly, 25(2),1–8.