Ninety-six (96) local, regional, and international organizations and entities (prime actors) were identified by their peers as influential in the life of Syria. In the chart below, the left column ranks the prime actors from most influential in shaping the life in Syria (Russia) to the least influential (Relief International).

The chart also shows the classification of prime actors into five stances indicating the actor's support and contribution to inclusive nationalism for Syria, starting from the most committed (Core) to the least committed (Saboteur).

Amount of influence of the Alawites in the life of Syria, and their commitment to inclusive nationalism for Syria.

25 prime actors participated in the following:

  • Determining the rank of the Alawites according to the amount of their influence on life in Syria. As shown in the chart below, the Alawites ranked 15th most influential prime actor.
  • Assessing and classifying the Alawites according to their commitment to inclusive nationalism for Syria (also indicated in the same row by the colored rectangle). Of the 25 prime actors who participated in the assessments, more agreed that the Alawites fall under the category of 'Follower'. A prime actor assessed as Follower is seen as willing to build a sovereign, stable, inclusive, and developing Syria, but only when it serves its own interests.
Syria R3 PA Alawites x.jpg

In response to the question, “How are the Alawites important in the life of Syria?” 

Round 3 participants stated (Nov. 2016 - Jul. 2017):

"They are divided into poor (the majority) and rich. The Assad mafia confiscated the will of the poor. The remaining elite have no influence, but if Assad were to disappear they would be very influential." (230784)

"They controlled the whole country for the last 5 years. After the revolution a gap formed and widened between the Alawi and the rest of the country. Assad wanted to divide and conquer." (230713)

"They are part of the Syrian population. Some support Assad, but others are forced. They are given guarantees they will not be harmed, unless they don't support Assad. If they had assurances from Russia or the United States they might renounce Assad." (233881)

"They are the governing elite. They have the highest ranks in the military. They are definitely a component of the population." (238631)
 

Round 2 participants stated (Aug. 2016 - Oct. 2017):

"They are important because they are 10% of the Syrian population, a part of the Syrian community." (221641)

"They will always oppose the Assad regime even though they are forced to support him now.” (221641)

"They are an essential part of the Syrian population, 5 - 8%. They were used by the Assad regime. He convinced them the rest would bury them if they didn't support him." (220291)

"They belong to the President's sect." (223911)

"I agree" [with Round 1 statements]. (214281)


Round 1 participants stated (Jan. 2016 - May 2016):

"Shia are using them to take over, then will discard them." (211211)

“They could gain influence by defecting." (214281)