tions between Syria and Iraq ôhave been marked by political intrigue, attempts at subversion, assassinations, and concerted propaganda campaignsö by each country against the other (Collelo, 1990, p. 250). The Baath Party in each country claims to be the ôtrue pan-Arab Baath Partyö that should dominate the entire pan-Arab movement (Collelo, 1990, p. 250).
The two countries came close to war in 1975 in a dispute over water rights from the Euphrates. Saudi Arabia mediated a truce in 1975; however, throughout the remainder of the 1970s and throughout the 1980s, each country committed frequent acts of terrorism and subversion against the other (Collelo, 1990, p. 251). Syria further angered Iraq by providing weapons to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), and cutting IraqÆs crude oil pipeline that runs through Syria to Mediterranean ports (Collelo, 1990, p. 251).
SyriaÆs decision to join the Allied effort against Iraq in the Gulf War in 1991 had little to do with any sympathy Syria had for the Kuwaiti cause. SyriaÆs decision had everything to do with its long-time antagonism toward the Iraqui Baathist government. Hostility and tension between Syria and Iraq are major influences on the military aspects of SyriaÆs foreign policy.
Syria is bounded on the south by Jordan (Paxton, 1991, p. 1175). At various times, both Syria and Jordan have attempted to subvert the other, and each country has provided both support and refuge for the internal opposition groups in the other country (Collelo, 1990, p. 252). Jordan regards Syria as a part of the Hashimite kingdom. Several attempts were made by Jordan prior to 1950 to force Syria to become a part of Jordan. In 1960, a Syrian-trained subversive group assassinated the Jordanian prime minister (Collelo, 1990, p. 252).
Improvements in Jordanian-Syrian relations occurred subsequent to the Arab-Israeli War of 1973, when Jordan contributed to the Syrian military effort. L...