Publication

This paper examines the tribal communities in Eastern Syria, which form the main part of the population in the area, and their future importance for the country. While exploring this overarching theme, the text’s authors also examine 1) the history of the tribes and their interaction with ruling authorities in Syria; and 2) how numerous parties involved in the Syrian conflict – including the Assad regime, radical Islamists, Turkey and the Kurds – have sought to integrate tribal leaders into their political agendas. In the last case, the problem is that these leaders no longer have the authority they once did and the Syrian conflict has only worsened their relations with everyday tribal members.