Syria & the 'China Growth Model'

FORBES, here

".... Under Secretary of State John Bolton added Syria to the list the following year. Washington imposed economic and political sanctions in 2004, later tightening them.  Relations with America and Europe remained frosty a few years later, especially after accusations of Syrian involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese President Rafiq Hariri. It was as if the country had fallen off the map....

Syria's status as a "cohesive force" is aided by its relative stability. This is no small achievement. The country suffers from the same sectarian divisions between Sunni, Shi'a, Christian, and Kurd that afflict Iraq and Lebanon. The country also shares borders with Iraq to the east, Lebanon to the west, and Israel to the south. An intrusive security apparatus helps keep the peace. And, although the Syrian government has openly defied America and Israel in past decades, it has avoided inciting armed conflict.

This strategy is now paying off handsomely. Chinese traders refer frequently to Syria's "stability" as a reason to base their operations in the country. How long the country will remain stable is debatable. But at least for now the rise of China is helping to ignite memories of the country's historical role as a trading hub..."