Unraveling the Syrian Civil War: A Tripartite Analysis through Securitization Theory, Feminist Critique, and Biopolitical Perspectives

The Syrian Civil War is one of the most protracted and catastrophic conflicts of the twenty-first century, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability, global security, and human rights. The conflict, at its core, includes complex dynamics of power, identity, and governance that may be deconstructed and evaluated using securitization theory, feminist critique, and biopolitical views. In this blog post, I aim to investigate the Syrian Civil War using these three separate but interconnected theoretical frameworks, attempting to unravel the multifaceted character of this continuing conflict.

Securitization Theory: Framing the Conflict as a Matter of Security-

The securitization theory, as originally formulated by Ole Waever, provides a prism through which we can study how the Syrian Civil War has been securitized both locally and globally. Within Syria, the Assad regime has framed the conflict as a national security issue, painting opposition groups as existential dangers to the regime's survival (Dümen, 2022). They have also used speech acts to frame the conflict in unique ways. Assad's speeches frequently describe the opposition as terrorists while portraying the government as fighting extremism and foreign involvement. These speech acts are intended to mobilize domestic support for the regime and legitimize its harsh measures against dissent. This securitization narrative has justified the use of extreme force, such as indiscriminate bombs, chemical assaults, and mass massacres, in the name of battling terrorism and ensuring stability.

Al Jazeeera

 Internationally, numerous entities have securitized the conflict, viewing it as a danger to regional stability and global security. Neighboring nations, including Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, have been forced to secure the entry of Syrian refugees by adopting border restrictions and security measures to handle the humanitarian catastrophe (Dümen, 2022). Similarly, the growth of extremist groups in Syria, most notably ISIS, has prompted international security efforts, including military involvement by a US-led coalition, to combat terrorism and prevent the spread of extreme ideology. Various international actors, including governments, have used speech acts to influence their policies and responses to the Syrian war. For example, Syrian refugees are characterized as risks to European and American security, and the refugee crisis is framed as an existential threat, resulting in the shift to emergency politics (Herta, 2017). 

Feminist Lens: Unveiling Gendered Dimensions of Violence and Oppression-

A feminist critique of the Syrian Civil War focuses on the gendered aspects of violence, displacement, and institutional oppression that disproportionately affect women and oppressed genders. Throughout the conflict, women and girls have faced numerous forms of gender-based violence, such as sexual assault, forced marriage, and human trafficking (Abington, T. 2019). The militarization of the conflict has strengthened patriarchal norms, sustaining cycles of violence and strengthening traditional gender roles. Viewing the Syrian Civil War through a gendered perspective, based on Lene Hansen's ideas, reveals the complex power dynamics and masculinist ideologies that fuel the conflict. Masculinist discourses dominate conflict rhetoric and practice, reinforcing concepts of militaristic masculinity and patriarchal authority (Lene, H. 2000). The Assad regime, with its authoritarian and militaristic attitude, represents patriarchal power systems that favor male domination and control over women's bodies and agency. This gendered power dynamic manifests itself in the regime's use of sexual violence as a means of intimidation and coercion, with women and girls serving as symbols of resistance and subjection (Abington, T. 2019). 

Al Jazeera

Furthermore, the advent of extremist groups within Syria, such as ISIS, highlights the conflict's gendered elements. These organizations promote harsh patriarchal ideals that impose tight gender roles and limit women's liberties, reducing them to subordinate places in society (Abington, T. 2019).  Women's enslavement becomes a technique of exercising control as well as an expression of larger power struggles based on gendered hierarchy. In addition, Hansen's perspective emphasizes women's agency and resistance among the chaos of battle (Lene, H. 2000) . Women's engagement in protests, activism, and humanitarian operations calls into question traditional gender standards and undermines prevailing victimhood narratives (Williams, 2021). Women resist the hegemony of masculinist discourses by asserting their voices and agency, helping to reimagine security outside established paradigms.

Biopolitics: Managing Populations amidst Crisis and Displacement-

Biopolitical approaches shed light on how the Syrian Civil War intersects with concerns of population governance, control, and management, especially in the context of displacement and humanitarian crises. The massive departure of Syrians, both internally and externally, has generated biopolitical reactions to regulate and manage displaced communities. To manage the flood of refugees, host countries have created border controls, refugee camps, and asylum policies, which frequently involve surveillance, incarceration, and deportation.

The PARIS School's approach to biopolitics emphasizes the interconnection of security, power, and knowledge production, providing critical insights into how populations are managed and regulated in times of instability. In Syria, the Assad regime's insecuritization tactics involve using fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability to control populations and repress opposition. The regime strives to maintain power and control by employing techniques such as siege warfare, indiscriminate bombing, and manipulation of humanitarian aid.

The Syrian Civil War exemplifies the complex issues and challenges inherent in contemporary security rhetoric, encompassing concerns of securitization, gender inequity, and population management. By examining the dispute through these three distinct lenses, we acquire a more sophisticated view of its underlying causes, dynamics, and repercussions. Understanding these various points of view can help us strive toward a more peaceful and just future for Syria and other conflict-ridden regions.

References:

• Abington, T. (2019, April 3). Armies of Women: the Syria Crisis and the New War thesis. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/2019/03/27/armies-of-women-the-syria-crisis-and-the-new-war-thesis/#:~:text=The%20feminist%20perspective%2C%20therefore%2C%20proves,reflects%20the%20new%20war%20thesis.&text=The%20new%20war%20thesis%20asserts,%E2%80%9D%20(Kaldor%2C%202013).

• Dümen, H. (2022). Securitization and Identity: The speech acts of Bashar Al-Assad. OPUS Toplum Araştırmaları Dergisi, 19(50), 824–837. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1171798

• Hansen, Lene. (2000). The Little Mermaid's Silent Security Dilemma: The Absence of Gender in the Copenhagen School. Millennium-journal of International Studies - MILLENNIUM-J INT STUD. 29. 285-306. 10.1177/03058298000290020501. Herta, Laura. (2017). SECURITY AS SPEECH ACT. DISCOURSE CONSTRUCTIONS ON THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS. 

• Williams, J. (2021, April 12). How Syrian women are fighting a war – and patriarchy. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/12/how-syrian-women-are-fighting-a-war-and-patriarchy