Publication

This paper explores how military desertions from the Syrian Army have shaped the dynamics of the country’s civil war. The text’s authors specifically remind us that there is a difference between desertion and defection and conclude that mistrust-laden sectarian narratives, corruption in the military, economically-driven rebel recruitment, etc., have inspired Syrian soldiers to desert their posts. The authors further conclude that international actors need to develop a better understanding of this phenomenon because it could contribute to policies that will eventually weaken the Assad regime without strengthening radical rebel groups at the same time.