My Struggle for Syria

Name: My Struggle for Syria
Price: 49.99 AUD
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ISBN: 9780755658213

A Woman in Arab Politics

Bassma Kodmani, Hala Kodmani, Emma Playfair , Barry Knight

$49.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

I.B. Tauris
02 April 2026

Peace studies & conflict resolution; Geopolitics

This account by Bassma Kodmani details her passionate fight for democratic change in Syria. It is both her personal testimony and a unique historical document. As a westernised Syrian intellectual who, in 2011, became a figure of the Syrian opposition in exile, her candid narrative sheds fresh light on this conflict with its multiple twists and turns drawn from her direct involvement over a decade. Kodmani participated in and initiated meetings and negotiations with diplomats and politicians from around the world. Her testimony covers the exclusive behind-the-scenes revelations about conversations with local and international officials and follows the mutations of the Syrian conflict.

The missed opportunities, broken promises and the changing positions of some of the world’s most important leaders revealed in this book illuminate the regional geopolitics of the Syrian conflict that are still unresolved today. An important source for scholars in Syria studies, Kodmani's personal reflections add a human element to the political analysis.

By: Bassma Kodmani
Edited by: Hala Kodmani, Emma Playfair, Barry Knight, Christopher Harris
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 300g
ISBN: 9780755658213
ISBN 10: 0755658213
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 02 April 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Timeline of Key Events List of Names Main Syrian Opposition Groups List of Contributors Editors’ Notes to Text Tribute by Ghassan Salamé Preface by Bassma Kodmani Foreword by Hala Kodmani Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations and Acronyms Map of Syria Chapter One: Early Life Growing Up Becoming a Revolutionary Chapter Two: Into the Struggle The Creation of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Experiences in the SNC 2011-2012 Chapter Three: Connecting with the Ground in Syria Emergence of Local Councils with Omar Aziz Dr. Wehbe in Douma Devastating Losses On the Other Side of the Sun Education as a Battlefield—Abu Adnan Fleitani The Kofi Annan UN Mission in Syria Chapter Four: Diplomatic Failure and Descent into War Brutally Ejected The Islamist Takeover The Failure of Representation and False Unity The Free Syrian Army : neither free nor an army Wrong Alliances My Regrets Chapter Five: In the Shadows: Becoming a Freelance Diplomat Seeking Emirati Support Qatar Control over the New Syrian Opposition and Military Council Dealing with Fighting Forces on the Ground Negotiating with the Russians Back Channel Diplomacy with Iran A Wild Card: The Kurds Chapter Six: Negotiations The Geneva Talks Smoke and Mirrors Lausanne Technical Talks From Geneva to Sochi Chapter Seven: Track II Diplomacy Russia Controls All The Muegel Military Plan My Efforts for Tripartite Meetings with Superpowers The Offensive against Aleppo and the Emergence of HTS High Negotiating Committee Blocks Negotiation Chapter Eight: Transformation A Woman in Arab Politics My Vision of Transition Conclusion Afterword

Bassma Kodmani (1959-2023) was a leading figure of the exiled Syrian opposition who devoted much of her career to the democratisation of the Arab world. A prominent expert in Middle Eastern affairs, she held a doctorate in political science from Sciences Po, France and was the founding executive director of the Paris-based Arab Reform Initiative. In 2011 she co-founded the Syrian National Council, the first coalition of opponents to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. She served as head of foreign relations and spokesperson for the body and was a leading member of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, participating in United Nations-hosted meetings in Geneva from 2016.

Reviews for My Struggle for Syria: A Woman in Arab Politics

The book is a gripping account filled with revealing narratives about the early stages of the Syrian uprisings. It offers an in-depth exploration of the political aspects of the revolt, highlighting the divisions and complexities within the opposition. The vivid storytelling and first-hand insights provide a compelling look into the dynamics and struggles of this tumultuous period. -- Asaad Alsaleh, Associate Professor, Indiana University, US