Understanding a Decade of Syrian-Hamas Relations, 2011-2021

Abstract

Tracing the trajectory of Hamas’ policy towards Syria in three distinct phases, the paper seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of Syria-Hamas relations over the course of the past decade and identifies the various factors that have led us to this point. The argument put forward here suggests that it is only through a combination of geo-strategic factors and issues pertaining to identity that can help to fully explain the shifts and changes in Hamas’ policy towards Syria, which has inevitably had repercussions for its relations with the other members of the Axis of Resistance, Iran and Hezbollah too.