SYRIA, SOFT POWER AND RESPONSES TO IMPASSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SITUATIONS

摘要

The present conflict in Syria presents the USA, Israel and others stakeholders in Europe and the wider world with an apparent impasse. The temptation to intervene more directly has so far been resisted and this is generally considered as a 'good thing'. However, there is a strong argument for assisting the evolution of progressive change in Islamic communities in neighbouring countries and South East Asia, for example. Turkey presents a special case that may be considered from different points of view. On the one hand it is a Nato member and has a modern, western orientated recent history, but on the other, it is increasingly seen as identifying with a Sunni coalition lead from the Gulf States that has taken an overtly anti Shia position in response to the aggressive activities of Iran as well as more traditional divisions. Nonetheless other Islamic lead countries such as Indonesia and Bangladesh do offer opportunities for the West to encourage progressive governments and wider societal movements to further develop successfully especially in terms of economic and social development. India also has a very large Muslim community and its development may also be important to encourage especially if it seemed to be lagging behind other sections of Indian society. One less obvious avenue, especially in the case of Bangladesh and certain areas of other states that have been affected in the recent past, may be to focus on projects that can be presented as responses by the international community to the expected impact of climate change. Such initiatives could also include some neighbouring non-Islamic regions in South East Asia, for example. Overt success in these countries would place more pressure on countries such as Syria and Pakistan, for example, to make more effort to develop and this would strengthen the position of those groups within these countries that advocate a more open, tolerant approach to Islam and towards other faith groups. In addition to climate change related events, generally more generous and sustained responses to disasters and other crisis situations are also recommended. It was widely considered that one of the most constructive responses to the crisis in the early 2000s was the coming together of the G20 Group of nations. This grouping offers the international community a new channel for the kind of initiatives referred to above. While China and Russia may, for their own reasons, be reluctant to take the lead in some areas of the world, other immerging powers such as Brazil, South Africa, India and so on would probably welcome the opportunity to exhibit their growing international significance.