Modern Syria From Ottoman Rule To Pivotal Role In The Middle East . . Author   Maoz,Moshe   Publisher   Sussex Acad.Press   Publishing year   1999   Language   English   Pages   308   ISBN/ISSN   1-898723-83-4          42.00   . Syria has long considered itself at the center of Arab nationalism and the struggle against Zionism. However, its grand ideological and strategic goal to achieve all-Arab unity has met obstacles in the form of political and economic conflicts between the two Ba'athist pan-Arab regimes in Damascus and Baghdad, as well as military defeat in both pan-Arab wars of 1948 and 1967. Issues such as Islamic opposition to the Ba'ath, the loss of Soviet support, Israeli military superiority, the alliance with Iran, the breaking of security protocols with Turkey, redeployment of Syrian troops out of Lebanon, and achieving the return of the Golan Heights, impact on Syria's ability to balance domestic advances for its people with its more international aspirations.