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Syria Radical Political Influence
The ouster of Shishakli brought out once more the conflicts
among the diverse political elements of the country. Cabinet
succeeded cabinet as shifting coalitions of conservatives on the
one hand and left-wing socialists on the other vied for
supremacy. By 1955 the balance began to swing in favor of leftwing elements, notably the Baath Party and the Syrian Communist
Party, the only parties in Syria with effective organizations and
definite platforms and the only ones not based on sectarian
interests. Their platforms coincided on some issues, and they
sometimes cooperated in achieving their goals: economic and
political reform aimed at dislodging the ineffective entrenched
leadership that was at once quasi-feudal, mercantile, and Western
connected; Arab unity; and close cooperation with the Soviets to
counter alleged Western designs on the Arab homeland.
Anti-Western sentiment had been ever-present in independent
Syria, resulting from deep disappointment over perceived British
betrayal at Versailles and resentment of French policies under
the mandate. It had reached a high pitch after the creation of
Israel, considered another example of Western connivance against
the Arabs, but was subdued by the pro-Western Shishakli. In 1955
it was vocal again under the stimulation of local politicians and
Soviet propaganda. The British-French-Israeli invasion of Sinai
in late 1956 gave it additional impetus.
The gradual ascendance to power of left-wing radicals brought
close relations with the Soviet Union and other communist
countries. Several barter agreements were signed between 1954 and
1956; cultural agreements were concluded, missions were
exchanged, and an arms deal was signed in 1956. At the same time,
Syria became increasingly isolated from its Arab neighbors.
During 1957 the conservatives were virtually eliminated as a
political factor. In May they suffered a crushing defeat in byelections after four traditionally conservative representatives
were convicted of conspiracy. Later that year conservatives
failed in an effort to form an effective coalition in parliament
to counter the radicals, and conservative and moderate army
officers failed to dislodge known Communists from strategic posts
in the army. By the end of 1957, Baathists, with their Communist
and other left-wing allies, were in control of the government.
The success of the radicals in gaining control resulted
largely from close cooperation between the Baathists and
Communists. The Communists had been growing rapidly in number and
strength as popularity of the East and dislike of the West grew,
and, by the end of 1957, they threatened Baathist domination of
the radical alliance. Moderates in Syria and abroad feared an
imminent Communist takeover. The Baathists became alarmed when a
new radical party was formed to counter their influence and to
cooperate with the Communists. The last months of 1957 saw a
fierce behind-the-scenes struggle for supremacy within the
radical camp.
Data as of April 1987
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