The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) is one of the most enigmatic and active political forces in the Middle East. For observers in the West, the SSNP is regarded as a far-right organization, subservient to the Baathist government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which dictates its activities from Damascus. However, the SSNP’s complicated history and its ideology of Pan-Syrianism has meant the party has been overlooked and forgotten by the daily output of news, analysis, studies and policy recommendations. Very little academic scholarship has been dedicated to understanding its origins, identity, and influence.
Addressing the need for scholarship on the SSNP, this book is a political history from the party’s foundation in 1932 to today. A comprehensive and objective study on the little known nationalist group, the author uses interviews from current members to gain insights into its everyday activities, goals, social interstices and nuances. Given the SSNP’s history of violence, their own persecution, influence on other secular parties in the region, and their impact in Syria and Lebanon’s politics, the book’s analysis sheds light on the party’s status in Lebanon and its potential role in a future post-war Syria. The SSNP is gaining popularity among regime supporters in Syria and will be one part of understanding the political developments on the ground. This book is essential reading for those wanting to understand the SSNP, its motives, and prospects.
By:
Christopher Solomon (Exovera Washington D.C USA)
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9780755641826
ISBN 10: 0755641825
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 23 February 2023
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Chapter 1: Introduction and why the SSNP matters Chapter 2: The Party of the Martyr Chapter 3: The SSNP’s Ideology Chapter 4: The SSNP’s beginnings in Syria Chapter 5: Under the shadow of Nasser Chapter 6: The Lebanese Civil War Chapter 7: From guerillas to politicians, the SSNP in Lebanese politics Chapter 8: The SSNP in the Syrian Civil War Chapter 9: Women, youth, and social media Chapter 10: The SSNP’s future in Syria Key figures and factions A list of SSNP presidents A timeline of the SSNP's factions and historic splits
Christopher Solomon is an analyst specializing in Middle East history and politics, and works for a US defense consultancy in Washington, D.C., USA.
Reviews for In Search of Greater Syria: The History and Politics of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party
In Search of Greater Syria is interesting, bright, eloquent and readable, presenting the reader with the first comprehensive picture of the history of the SSNP. This is therefore a must-read book for anyone seeking to learn the history of the party but also the turbulent history of Syria and Lebanon. --Eyal Zisser, Tel Aviv University, Israel
