Please do NOT use AI or GPTCHATThe essay should be based on the outline submitted (attached), subject to any revisions according to feedback.I will attach some readings from class to use for theories or definitions reference to backup evidence or theory. Please note YOU must use TWO theories, at least from the readings I attached below from class. Structure:
The essay must include the following components.
1. Introduction—including the topic and why it matters, the research question, your thesis, and a roadmap for the remainder of the paper.
2. Theory (please choose theory/or a few theories)—a section in which you introduce your own preferred argument in greater detail, along with other plausible competing arguments. You should also be sure to define any key concepts you will be using, particularly specialized or contested, or otherwise important analytical ones, in the course of your argument.
3. Evidence—qualitative and/or quantitative empirical data from the world that will help you to support your argument. It may take many different forms, depending on the question you are asking, but will be a pattern of observations from the world “out there” that you will establish and use to support your thesis.
a. NOTE: essays may be purely qualitative! There is no expectation that essays will include quantitative evidence and analysis. Rather, choose the approach that best fits your research purpose and abilities.
4. Analysis—explaining what the evidence means and how it helps support your arguments relative to the most plausible alternatives. Where relevant, be sure to acknowledge ways in which evidence might be interpreted differently.
5. Conclusion—briefly show the reader that you have done what you set out to do, and explain the implications of your findings for both theory (ie. our understanding of why the world is the way it is) and policy (i.e. what we should do in order to advance our normative goals in the world).
6. Bibliography—include all sources used in the creation of the paper using any standard citation style.
Other important questions to consider:
1. Is the research question clearly and completely specified? Does the reader understand the purpose of the paper?
2. Is the question answered effectively in the thesis (i.e. the argument)? Is the thesis spelled out clearly and completely?
3. Is the structure of the paper clear to the reader, indicating how you are going to support your argument through evidence, comparison, and analysis?
4. Does the paper clearly provide a roadmap as to how you will develop your argument efficiently, consistently, and effectively? Does it follow that roadmap? Do you clearly indicate how each component of the paper relates back to the larger argument?
5. Do you identify counterarguments to your own position and explain clearly how you will weigh your thesis against these alternative explanations? It’s also possible to conclude the counterargument is valid in some way, and you must limit the scope of your own argument as a result. Reality is messy, and quite often more than one explanation will hold.
a. Remember, it’s important to identify leading alternatives to your primary thesis, as well as to consider alternative interpretations and conclusions regarding particular points of evidence and analysis.
6. Relatedly, have you thought about what a skeptical reader might think about your thesis and argument?
7. Have you thought about how to make your reader’s life easier? Have you used the essay structure—sections, headings, paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.—to help them follow the argument?
8. Does the outline integrate diverse readings from the class and the wider literature? Are you looking at differing arguments? Do you have a sense of where to look for reliable data related to the cases or examples you want to look at? Are sources formatted clearly, consistently, and comprehensively using a standard citation notation?
a. You are welcome to use sources from the course syllabus, but they will not count toward the number of required sources for the paper.
References: I used for outline ( please note you need to add another NEW 3 sources to use for the evidence of the qualitative research)
Annotated Bibliography (8 Sources)
Khatib, L. (2024). Proxy Warfare in Syria: The Role of Gulf States. International Affairs,
100(2), 299-317.
As part of an analysis of how external actors have intervened in Syria’s fragmentation, this maps the control and influence over different parts of the country. This source provides value for discussion of foreign influence and its territorial and political effects.
Youvan, D. C. (2024, December 14). The Fragmentation of Syria: Proxy Wars, Identity
Manipulation, and Regional Power Plays. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10219.66083
The three years of Turkey’s military operations in Syria are assessed in the article, which looks at motivations, strategies, and outcomes. This article is useful for reading about the role of Turkey in the conflict.
Hasan Yükselen testing the extremes in Syria Turkey and Russia Moscow Ankara
Damascus. (n.d.). https://www.setav.org/en/assets/uploads/2020/10/K70-TrRuSy.pdf
Iran’s strategic and operational objectives and methods in Syria are explored in the article, as well as how Iran’s intervention in the conflict has affected its outcome. By addressing Iran’s role in regional dynamics, this source is of paramount importance.
Ahmadian, H., & Mohseni, P. (2020). Iran’s Syria Strategy: The Evolution of Deterrence.
NL ARMS, 231–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6265-419-8_13
This source gives an extensive study on Iran’s use of deterrence in order to protect Iran’s regional interests in Syria. Focusing on the strategic, political, and military aspects of Iran’s role, it analyzes the size of its influence over the Assad regime and its bearing upon regional security more broadly. For understanding Iran’s objectives and its role in shaping the Syrian conflict, this work is relevant.
Lund, A. (2020). From Cold War to Civil War: 75 Years of Russian Syrian Relations.
Middle East Policy, 27(1), 45-58.
In the case of Russia’s 2015 military intervention in Syria, Lund looks at the historical context of Russian-Syrian relations and explains why Russia did what it did. This source is useful for learning more about how deep Russia’s involvement is, and ultimately this sourcing’s impact on conflict dynamics in general.
Phillips, C. (2020). The International and Regional Battle for Syria. Third World
Quarterly, 41(1), 27-41.
The civil war becomes a proxy conflict, Phillips argues, because of the intervention of a number of international and regional actors. The multiplicity of external influences on the war is what made it appropriate to discuss in this article. Looking for evidence pre and post Ukraine that external and regional factors prolonged duration.
Blanchard, C. (2022). Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33487
Blanchard offers an all-encompassing overview of U.S. involvement in Syria analyzing the strategies put forth and the results attained. This source is good for assessing the level and efficacy of U.S. involvement in Syria.
Hokayem, E., & Roberts, D. B. (2021). The War in Syria: Lessons for the West. Survival,
63(2), 123-146.