1
Annotated Bibliography
Bachelor Security Studies
Skills Lab 2
, 2
Allison, R. (2013). Russia and Syria: Explaining alignment with a regime in crisis.
International Affairs, 89(4), 795-823. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12046
Written by a Professor of Russian and Eurasian International Relations at Oxford School of
Global and Area Studies, this paper examines explanations of Russia’s alignment with Assad’s
regime in Syria and why Russia effectively supports Damascus in the Syrian conflict. Roy
Allison argues that there are more reasons why Russia is interested in Syria than just material
benefits, Russian solidarity with the Syrian leadership, and criticism of past interventions by the
West. He used other research papers, press conferences and government reports to support his
main argument.
Allison has a career as an academic professor, the article is peer-reviewed and it is published in
International Affairs, a journal founded by Chatham House. The paper is credible and reliable
for those reasons. Nevertheless, the article is not recently published as it is from 2013, meaning
that it does not contain an updated version of the conflict in Syria and its alignment with
Russia. Allison mainly examines the years 2000 to 2013, so he uses historical events which
give the paper broad elements. However, Allison’s work also has narrow elements since he
exclusively examines Russia’s interests and support in Syria.
This research by Allison could play a significant role in answering my research question, as
classical realism refers to domestic politics, human nature, and self-interest of states as the key
factors in understanding state behaviour. This aligns with Allison’s paper since he analysed
Russia’s and Syria’s affinity and, therefore, he could explore Russia’s national self-interests in
Syria.
Annotated Bibliography
Bachelor Security Studies
Skills Lab 2
, 2
Allison, R. (2013). Russia and Syria: Explaining alignment with a regime in crisis.
International Affairs, 89(4), 795-823. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12046
Written by a Professor of Russian and Eurasian International Relations at Oxford School of
Global and Area Studies, this paper examines explanations of Russia’s alignment with Assad’s
regime in Syria and why Russia effectively supports Damascus in the Syrian conflict. Roy
Allison argues that there are more reasons why Russia is interested in Syria than just material
benefits, Russian solidarity with the Syrian leadership, and criticism of past interventions by the
West. He used other research papers, press conferences and government reports to support his
main argument.
Allison has a career as an academic professor, the article is peer-reviewed and it is published in
International Affairs, a journal founded by Chatham House. The paper is credible and reliable
for those reasons. Nevertheless, the article is not recently published as it is from 2013, meaning
that it does not contain an updated version of the conflict in Syria and its alignment with
Russia. Allison mainly examines the years 2000 to 2013, so he uses historical events which
give the paper broad elements. However, Allison’s work also has narrow elements since he
exclusively examines Russia’s interests and support in Syria.
This research by Allison could play a significant role in answering my research question, as
classical realism refers to domestic politics, human nature, and self-interest of states as the key
factors in understanding state behaviour. This aligns with Allison’s paper since he analysed
Russia’s and Syria’s affinity and, therefore, he could explore Russia’s national self-interests in
Syria.
