IranianSyrian Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

IranianSyrian Relations - Essay Example Border clashes between Israel and Syria, occurring throughout 1960s, culminated into Arab-Israel war of 1967. After six days of war, Israel who fought against the Arab States of Egypt, Jordan and Syria, annexed much of Arab territory, including Golan heights southwest of Syria. Fighting around the Golan Heights continued between Israel and Syria because of mounting tension from the Palestine refugees entering Syria en masse. This resulted into Syria and Egypt going to war against Israel in 1973. Claiming a legal authority by Israel in the Golan Heights, quite antagonist to Syria's demand for Israel to relinquish its claim, further aggravated the hostilities in 1981. Tension between Syria and Israel aggravated when the former demanded the return of the Golan Heights and the creation of the sate of Palestine. As Syria plays a major role in the Middle East, she sent peacekeeping troops in Lebanon to stop a civil war there. But this force remained in Lebanon as late as 2005. In the meantime, however, Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. An alliance of many countries including the United States and Syria was formed to oppose Iraq's illegal annexation of Kuwait. Over 20,000 Syrian troops fought against Iraqi forces to finally oust them from Kuwait in February 1991. After the death of Syrian president Hafiz-al- Assad in June 2000, his son Bashaar al-Assad succeeded him the same year. Many countries insisted Syria to withdraw its forces f... An alliance of many countries including the United States and Syria was formed to oppose Iraq's illegal annexation of Kuwait. Over 20,000 Syrian troops fought against Iraqi forces to finally oust them from Kuwait in February 1991. After the death of Syrian president Hafiz-al- Assad in June 2000, his son Bashaar al-Assad succeeded him the same year. Many countries insisted Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. Rafik Hariri, a former premier of Lebanon was killed by a car bomb in Beirut, Lebanon. Accusations from all over held Syria to be responsible for Hariri's death. The assassination of Hariri triggered massive demonstrations and protests against Syrian for its withdrawal from Lebanon. Syria eventually withdrew from Lebanon in 2005. (Abu-Khalil As'ad, n.d.) Iran - A Brief Introduction Iran is one of the ancient countries in the Middle East and is situated to the southwest of Asia. It has snow-capped mountains, and its land abounds with green valleys, and barren deserts. Tehran, which is the largest city of Iran, is the country's capital. According to the ancient history of civilizations, Iran ranks as the world's oldest countries. The origin of human settlements in Iran is traced back in history to almost 5,000 years ago. The Persian Empire, which covered a vast territory of southwestern Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, had its seat of civilization based in what is now Iran. (Ansari Ali M, n.d.) Map of Iran Fact File - Iran Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran Area: 636,372 sq miles Highest point: Mount Damavand (18,386 ft above sea-level) Official language: Persian (also called 'Farsi') Currency: Iranian Rial Population: 72,048,000 (two-third of Iranian people are of Aryan origin; 60 percent are