The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria

A look at the history of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, examining why the group failed to capitalise on its political advantage during the Syrian uprising and civil war.

Dara Conduit (Author)

9781108731287, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 August 2019

286 pages, 6 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.42 kg

'Dara Conduit dissects the fascinating history of a group that has emerged as the great survivor of Syrian politics, wriggling its way through parliamentary rule, dictatorship, exile, and war - forever locked out of power, forever seeking a new way in.' Aron Lund, Fellow, The Century Foundation

Having played a role in every iteration of Syrian politics since the country gained independence in 1946, the Muslim Brotherhood were the most prominent opposition group in Syria on the eve of the 2011 uprising. But when unrest broke out in March 2011, few Brotherhood flags and slogans were to be found within the burgeoning protest movement. Drawing on extensive primary research including interviews with Brotherhood members, Dara Conduit looks to the group's history to understand why it failed to capitalise on this advantage as the conflict unfolded, addressing significant gaps in accounts of the group's past to assess whether its reputation for violence and dogmatism is justified. In doing so, Conduit reveals a party that was neither as violent nor as undemocratic as expected, but whose potential to stage a long-awaited comeback was hampered by the shadow of its own history.

Introduction
Part I. The History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria: 1. A brief history of Syria and the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood
2. The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood's founding ideas
3. The Brotherhood's political experiences
4. The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria and violence
5. International relations and exile
Part II. The Syrian Uprising: 6. The Brotherhood re-enters the political fray
7. Looking beyond the opposition in exile
8. Military uprising
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Armed conflict [JPWS], Revolutionary groups & movements [JPWQ], Demonstrations & protest movements [JPWF], Pressure groups & lobbying [JPWD], Political activism [JPW]