The Nature of Syrian Conflict and The UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s Mediation Efforts 2012-2014: A Case Study

 Dr. Hasan Mohammad AlMomani     Mourad M.  Al- Rabadi

Abstract

Abstrac

This study aims to analyses the nature of the Syrian conflict and the UN Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s mediations efforts during 2012-2014 and why these efforts failed. This paper argues that the increased complexity of the conflict, regional and international rivalry, incompatible interests of the external powers, lack of willingness and passivity from the part of the disputants had complicated the mission of Lakhdar and therefore his efforts failed. The study has employed a case study approach that would analyze primary and secondary literature on this subject matter.

This paper concludes that, although Brahimi is a man with an extensive experience in mediation, he failed to hammer out a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Syria during his mission from 2012 to 2014. This was because of a number of factors that made the conflict defied Brahimi attempts to mediate a negotiated settlement. Chief among these factors is the nature of the conflict in terms of its complexity and intensity.