Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

Volker Perthes

Volker Perthes is director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik) and executive chairman of its board.

MER Article

Syrian Regional Policy Under Bashar al-Asad

Throughout the rule of Hafiz al-Asad (1970-2000), analysts widely agreed that Syria’s regional policies were mainly driven by a sometimes crude interest in national and regime security. Ideology, such as Asad’s famously stubborn rejection of “normal” relations with Israel, did not drive his regional and international foreign policies,

Volker Perthes • 16 min read

MER Article

Points of Difference, Cases for Cooperation

In discussions between American and European scholars about Western policies towards the Middle East -- an issue of increasing importance for trans-Atlantic relations -- Europeans are often asked to explain why their policymakers and pundits criticize US Middle East policies instead of accepting a f

Volker Perthes • 9 min read

MER Article

Syrian Involvement in Lebanon

The Syrian army has been involved in Lebanon since 1976. Mainly playing the role of balancer between contending Lebanese factions, Syria has its own strategic, political and security interests in Lebanon. In 1982, when Israel invaded Lebanon to expel the PLO and establish a pro-Israeli regime, the Syrian forces were

Volker Perthes • 2 min read

MER Article

Myths and Money

“The price of prosperity has already been paid,” read an ad that Lebanon’s Investment Development Authority ran in the summer of 1996. “Now is the time to harvest.” The ad also mentioned, euphemistically, that the price had been “a period of unrest.” The message was meant to convince international i

Volker Perthes • 15 min read

MER Article

Syria's Parliamentary Elections

On May 22 and 23, 1990, Syrian voters were called to the polls to elect a new parliament, the fifth People’s Council (Majlis al-Sha‘b) since Hafiz al-Asad came to power in 1970. The new Majlis would consist of a total of 250 instead of the 195 members in previous councils. The official media made cl

Volker Perthes • 12 min read

MER Article

The Bourgeoisie and the Baath

For more than a quarter of a century, Syria has been ruled by the Arab Socialist Baath Party, which claims to be leading the country not only to unity and freedom but also to socialism. In the early years of its rule, the Baath made great efforts to develop central

Volker Perthes • 19 min read