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How did authoritarian rulers succeed to consolidate their rule during the Arab uprisings? In answering this question, this study sheds light on al-Assad regime’s resilience through the mobilization of armed non-state actors’ sectarian alliances. Unlike scholarly writings touching upon authoritarianism in the Middle East, this study builds on alliance politics theory in arguing for authoritarian upgrading during the uprisings where armed non-state actors’ sectarian alliances manifested a balance of interests, plunged calls for democratization into a security dilemma, and asserted dictators’ grip on power. Drawing on a Critical Discourse Analysis of al-Assad and warlords’ speeches, statements, and video releases, this study extends debates on authoritarian restitution in the Middle East towards armed non-state actors’ sectarian alliances as an innovative mechanism for rule sustainability.

Upgrading Authoritarianism During the Arab Uprisings: Armed Non-State Actors’ Confessional Alliances and Aborted Democratization in Syria