Territorial progression and military forces involved in the Syrian War (2011-2022): connections between the global and local

• Grant number: 24/16308-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Political Science - International Politics
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Antonio Duarte Villa
• Grantee: Ana Karolina Morais da Silva
• Supervisor: Craig Larkin
• Host Institution: Instituto de Relações Internacionais (IRI). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: King's College London, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/12180-2 - BETWEEN BALANCE AND RECOMPOSITION: THE RUSSIAN-US COMPETITION FOR THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE EAST, BP.DR

Abstract

This research project aims to analyze the territorial progression and the involvement of various military forces in the Syrian War from 2011 to 2022, with a focus on the connections between global and local actors. The study seeks to map the dynamic interactions between global powers, such as the United States and Russia, and local Syrian groups, including the Syrian government, rebel factions, and paramilitary organizations. By employing a combination of process tracing and descriptive research methodologies, the project will document changes in territorial control and the strategic decisions that shaped the conflict. The research will be supported by advanced cartographic tools and extensive databases to produce detailed maps and visual representations of the war's progression. Conducted under the supervision of experts at King's College London, this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the Syrian conflict's role in the broader geopolitical landscape, highlighting how regional and global rivalries manifest in localized conflicts. The findings are expected to offer critical insights into the strategies of global powers and their impact on the Middle East, providing a comprehensive analysis of one of the most complex conflicts of the 21st century.