THE GOLAN HEIGHTS QUESTION AND SYRIA’S DOMESTIC POLITICS: ISRAELI POLICY AS A STRATEGIC INSTRUMENT

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Golan Heights issue in Syria’s domestic and foreign policy, analyzing its military-strategic, political, and geopolitical significance. The territory, captured by Israel during the 1967 Arab–Israeli War, is regarded as one of the fundamental principles underpinning Syria’s territorial integrity and national security doctrine. The article highlights the water resources of the Golan Heights, its military advantages, the history of inter-state negotiations, and the implications of the United States’ 2019 political decision for regional stability. It also demonstrates how the Syrian civil war, the involvement of international powers, and Israel’s strategy aimed at solidifying its control over the area have contributed to the increasing complexity of the Golan issue.