The origins of the revolt against the al-Assad regime in Syria -- aside from foreign intervention which may have started very early --were driven at least in part by a severe drought over much of the country. Farmers and their communities suffered, people migrated to the cities from the countryside. It was part of the mix that made politics in Syria very volatile and susceptible to social unrest exacerbated by foreign interests and the clumsy response of the regime.
This may be related to a recurring pattern in the region which goes back thousands of years.
I wrote about this a while ago:
The
Changing Climate in the Middle East
[Title as submitted:
You May Need a Weatherman to Know
Which Way the Wind Blows In Syria (and
Beyond)]
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