Syrian Arab Republic

Syrian Arab Republic began with the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire 1916. It became a French mandate after World War 1. The government sided with Vichy regime in 1940, and was overthrown by the British. The country gained total independence on October 24th, 1945 and with became one of the founding members of the United Nations. Independence brought instability. Coups and counter-coups continued until 1961, when the Ba'ath Party came to power. Syria has always be a weaker cousin to most Arab powers in the region both militarily and economically.