The Formation of Syrian Opposition Coalitions as Two-Level Games

In: The Middle East journal, Band 70, Heft 2, S. 189-210

Abstract

This article investigates coalition patterns between two main factions of the Syrian opposition before and after the 2011 uprising. The two factions united over common platforms on several occasions following the 2000 Damascus Spring, but failed to do so in 2011 despite repeated domestic
and international pressure. Drawing upon two-level game theory to explain this change, this article argues that increased interest from both domestic and international audiences after 2011 made the two factions less flexible in negotiating a unified platform. Thus, paradoxically, it was increased
pressure for unification that deterred the opposition factions from unifying.