From its origins, in the Arab Spring, to its transformation into a protracted war, the Syrian war has brought to the forefront the complex interplay of power dynamics, state interests and security concerns in international relations. It presents a compelling case study for applying realist theory to analyse and better understand the factors that have shaped and determined the course and outcome of the conflict.

In this chapter, I provide a framework – based on realism – to help explain how the structure of the international political system has enabled the Syrian regime to survive. Realism's focus on power within the international political system – states, sovereignty and alliance building – will help the reader gain a better understanding of the factors that have enabled the Syrian regime to endure.

Using realist analysis, we can better understand the implications of the changing world order on the Middle East and, specifically, Syria. The Middle East, as a region of strategic importance, has been directly impacted by shifts in the world order. The transition from bipolarity to unipolarity and the emerging multipolar system have influenced the actions and strategies of global and regional actors. The US, as the dominant power during the unipolar moment in 1990, pursued its interests and intervened in the region, whereas newly rising powers in the emerging multipolar order, such as China, have sought to assert their influence in the Middle East, challenging the dominance of the US and reshaping regional power dynamics. The competing interests, alliances and power struggles that have unfolded in Syria should be understood within the context of our emerging multipolar world order.

We start with an introduction to three approaches to international relations, namely realism, pluralism and globalism.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORIES

Scholars and thinkers have developed competing theories to explain international relations, each offering different perspectives and insights. Among the most prominent theories are realism, pluralism and globalism, which are examined briefly below.