Description
About the Author
Leon T. Goldsmith teaches in the Department of Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
Reviews
'Goldsmith does not see [the Alawites'] loyalty as given. He sets out to explain it by examining their history. ... Goldsmith shows that years of persecution since the sect's founding have taught its adherents to stick together, and, as things have grown worse, to the regime. ... a welcome addition to scholarship on Syria.'; 'Cycle of Fear is based on an impressive amount of field research as well as interviews with hard-to-reach leading Alawite figures inside Syria and elsewhere. Goldsmith does a good job of unmasking much of the mystery surrounding this sect and places within its historical context the twentieth century rise of the Alawites and the decision by most Alawites in the current conflict to stick with the Assad regime. I highly recommend it.' * David W. Lesch, Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of Middle East History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and author of Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad *
'Cycle of Fear is based on an impressive amount of field research as well as interviews with hard-to-reach leading Alawite figures inside Syria and elsewhere. Goldsmith does a good job of unmasking much of the mystery surrounding this sect and places within its historical context the twentieth century rise of the Alawites and the decision by most Alawites in the current conflict to stick with the Assad regime. I highly recommend it.' * David W. Lesch, Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of Middle East History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and author of Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad *
'Leon Goldsmith makes a timely argument about the Alawite community that has provided the main pillar of support for Assad's rule in Syria. He explains how the minority complex of this small but powerful sect has been shaped by centuries of persecution. Their internal solidarity and fear of the Sunni majority, Goldsmith argues, has convinced them that their present struggle is a matter of life and death. This brief and engaging interpretive essay helps us to understand the cycle of fear that grips all religious communities in Syria today and makes the civil war so intractable.' * Joshua Landis, Director, Center for Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma, and author of SyriaComment.com *
'This valuable study usefully combines Ibn Khaldun's theory of cycles of rule, dependent on the changing assabiyeh of the ruling group, with the impact of the security dilemma to explain the causes and consequences of the Alawite community's association with the Assad regime. It benefits from the author's exceptional access to the Alawite heartland to provide a convincing and sympathetic portrait of this community.' * Raymond Hinnebusch, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for Syrian Studies, University of St. Andrews *
Book Information
ISBN 9781849044684
Author Leon T. Goldsmith
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Weight(grams) 599g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 23mm