This book tackles the social, economic and political issues that face modern Syria and explores the historical reasons behind Syria's pivotal role in the Middle East. Introduction: The Emergence of Modern Syria; In Search of Legitimacy: Asad's Islamic Image in the Syrian Official Press; Syria: The Renewed Struggle for Power; History and Political Culture in Syria: Obstacles to Integration in the Global Economy After the Gulf War; Syria: Economic Development, Achievements, Problems and Prospects; The Syrian Road to the Middle East Peace Process: The Socio-economic Perspective; The Question of Citizenship of the Algerian Immigrants in Syria, 1847--1900; European Foreigners in Damascus and Aleppo During the Late Ottoman Period; Betwixt and Between: The Arab Al-Aramshah Tribe of Southern Lebanon; The Franco-Syrian Treaty Negotiations and the Question of Lebanon, 1936--1939; Syrian--Iraqi Relations: Iraq as a Factor in the Syrian Foreign Policy; Turkish--Syrian Relations: An Update; Syria's Struggle over Water with Israel, 1959--1967; Changes in Syria's Regional Strategic Position vis-a-vis Israel; Asad's Art of the Double Game; The Contributors; Index.