Turkey-Syria relations during the ba'ath regime

The Ba?ath influence in Syrian politics started in the 1950s, but it seized the power with a coup d?etat in 1963. Although Syria has been under the Ba?ath rule since Hafez Al- Assad?s coup in 1970, the Ba?ath ideology has been departed from its essence in service of the leader?s interests.This transformation in Syrian domestic politics -together with the changes in the international conjucture- influenced Syria-Turkey relations. The first crisis between Syria and Turkey erupted in 1957 within the content of the bipolar international system. The period between 1957 and 1998 can be referred as troubled years characterized by water dispute and the issue of PKK terrorism.Improvement in Turkey-Syria relations reached its peak with Bashar Al-Assad?s coming to power in 2000 and his foreign policy initiatives, and the correspondence of two side?s interests. However, the relations between two countries have interrupted once again in March 2011 when Arab Uprisings made their impact felt on Syria and Turkey supported Syrian opposition groups at the expense of the Ba?ath regime.Key Words:1.The Ba?ath2.Water Dispute3.Terror Issue4.Strategic Cooperation5.Arab Uprising