Political Geography: Damascus / Topic: Diaspora

Author:: Cecilia Baeza
Publication Date:: 12-2018
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Abstract:: This paper examines the stance taken by the Syrian diaspora in Latin America vis-à-vis the war in Syria and how it envisions its aftermaths. It builds on an ethnographic field research and analysis carried out between 2011 and 2014 in Argentina and Brazil, and expands its scope by including a questionnaire prepared by ARI on the diaspora’s future role in the reconstruction Syria in a post-conflict scenario. The questionnaire has been sent to Syrian immigrants and descendants from Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. The first section examines the patterns of Syrian emigration to Latin America and its diasporization process under the influence of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and the Ba’ath. The second section shows how those historical elements have impacted the diaspora’s attitude towards the conflict in Syria. The last section analyzes the answers to the questionnaire and identifies the main topics of shared interest.
Topic:: Civil War, Diaspora, Refugees, and Revolution
Political Geography:: Middle East, Brazil, Argentina, Latin America, Syria, Mexico, Chile, and Damascus

Author:: Rayan Majed
Publication Date:: 12-2018
Content Type:: Research Paper
Institution:: Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Abstract:: This paper is an attempt to monitor the situation of the Syrian diaspora in Lebanon from 2011 until today, without claiming full coverage of all aspects of the subject. It focuses on four diaspora categories as well as the reflection of the Lebanese-Syrian historical relationship and the internal political situation in Lebanon on the Syrian diaspora there. The paper relies on reports from international and human rights organizations and articles on Syrian asylum in Lebanon, and on interviews with Syrian residents living in Lebanon from a variety of backgrounds.
Topic:: Civil War, Regional Cooperation, Diaspora, and Immigration
Political Geography:: Middle East, Lebanon, Syria, Beirut, and Damascus

Author:: Basma Alloush
Publication Date:: 12-2018
Content Type:: Research Paper
Institution:: Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
Abstract:: The Syrian American diaspora has been actively engaged in the Syrian uprising through the provision of humanitarian assistance and the entry into political advocacy work. Yet, the Syrian diaspora in the U.S. does not represent a homogenous population group nor a unified political position. On the contrary, assessing the dynamics of the diaspora since 2011 reveals important transformations within diasporic groupings, with the 2011 uprising acting as a catalyst for the emergence of new fractures. Through a mixture of desk research and interviews with key members of the Syrian American diaspora, this paper investigates the evolution of the community and discusses the potential role of the diaspora in a post-conflict Syria. By assessing current and evolving trends within the diaspora from 2011, it is possible to shape future reconstruction plans to effectively include the Syrian American diaspora.
Topic:: Civil War, Diaspora, and Immigration
Political Geography:: United States, Middle East, Syria, North America, and Damascus

Refine your search