9781422275795

resulting in as many as half a million deaths (both soldier and ci- vilian).War crimes on every side have been reported.The fighting has almost totally destroyed Syria’s economy, infrastructure, and standards of living.

In the News Oil and the Syrian Economy Syria, like many Middle Eastern nations, has large reserves of oil beneath its surface. Although this oil is nowhere near as plentiful as it is in Iraq or Saudi Arabia, it is nevertheless the main component of Syria’s economy. Sanctions applied to Syria have drastically limited its ability to both pump and sell oil, further damaging an economy that is barely able to stand on its own and provide work to the Syrian people. The country has few natural resources besides oil itself, although phosphate and manganese mines help to bolster local economies and provide some diversity in Syria’s export markets.

A soldier of the Syrian National Army amid the fighting in the city of Maaloula. Damaged houses can be seen in the background.

Introduction

9