The role of sectarian identity in the Syrian civil war from the perspective of the social constructivist approach

This thesis analyzes the impact of sectarian identities within the framework of social constructivism, using the case of the Syrian civil war. The main objective of the study is to examine the role of sectarian identity in foreign policy, domestic politics, and regional alliances through the example of the Syrian conflict. The social constructivist approach, which argues that identity is not fixed but shaped through social interaction, provides a theoretical basis for understanding how sectarian identities are constructed and what roles they play. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on historical analysis and case study. It examines the historical development of Shiite identity, its role in regional politics after the Iranian Revolution, and how this identity was utilized as a mobilization tool during the Syrian civil war. In particular, Iran's discourse of "protecting sacred sites," its emphasis on Shiite solidarity, and Hezbollah's active involvement in Syria offer concrete examples of the instrumentalization of sectarian identity. The thesis concludes that the Syria–Iran–Hezbollah alliance was shaped not only by strategic considerations but also by a shared sectarian affiliation and collective identity. Sectarian identity fosters solidarity and ideological unity at the regional level, demonstrating that social factors, alongside material ones, play a decisive role in international relations. In this context, social constructivism provides an effective framework for understanding the constitutive role of identity in global politics.