ebooks Mr. Mothercountry: The Man Who Made the Rule of Law by Keally McBride in History

Description

Throughout the turbulent history of the Levant the 'Alawis - a secretive; resilient and ancient Muslim sect - have aroused suspicion and animosity; including accusations of religious heresy. More recently they have been tarred with the brush of political separatism and complicity in the excesses of the Assad regime; claims that have gained greater traction since the onset of the Syrian uprising and subsequent devastating civil war. The contributors to this book provide a complex and nuanced reading of Syria's 'Alawi communities -from loyalist gangs (Shabiha) to outspoken critics of the regime. Drawing upon wide-ranging research that examines the historic; political and social dynamics of the 'Alawi and the Syrian state; the current tensions are scrutinised and fresh insights offered. Among the themes addressed are religious practice; social identities; and relations to the Ba'ath party; the Syrian state and the military apparatus. The analysis also extends to Lebanon with a focus on the embattled 'Alawi community of Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli and state relations with Hizballah amid the current crisis.