Study of Identities' Role in International Crises; Case Study: Syrian Crisis

Identity can be considered as a link between Constructivism theory and theoretical studies related to international crises. According to a Constructivist Point of View, identities are the basis of interests and roles, and actors determine their friend and Enemy based on the identity they envision for themselves. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present article is to answer this question: What role does Identity play in International Crises? In answer to this question, using the descriptive-analytical methods, we seek to test Hypothesis that if actors with inconsistent identities are involved in a crisis the crisis will have a high potential for intensification and expansion, and will most likely lead to the use of violent methods of crisis management. The best application of this hypothesis is the Syrian crisis. The beginning of the Syrian crisis was strongly influenced by the identity crisis within the Syrian government, and for this reason, two identity conflicts (Neo-Salafi-Alavi) and (Kurdish-Arabic) were highlighted in this crisis., Subsequently, two revolutionary and conservative axes led by Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as the third actor, Erdogan, entered the crisis and used all their power and proxy forces and allies to eliminate their "other" identities in Syria.