Relationship dossier
France
Syria
Relationship assessment
France’s confrontation with the Assad government is followed by an uncertain relationship with Syria’s transitional authorities.
France toward Syria
-70France backed the Syrian opposition, imposed sanctions on the Assad government, and joined the 2018 strikes on Syrian government facilities in response to chemical-weapons use. These actions constituted sustained opposition to the government’s conduct.
Syria toward France
-65The Assad government condemned French military action in Syria and opposed France’s support for the Syrian opposition. Its response to French policy was part of the broader confrontation with Western governments.
Overall relationship
-60The relationship under Assad was shaped by French support for the opposition, sanctions, and direct military action against Syrian government facilities, alongside Syrian opposition to French intervention and policy. Syria’s political transition means those features cannot be assumed to define relations with its new authorities.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France’s relationship with the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad was marked by sustained confrontation. France backed the Syrian opposition, imposed sanctions, and took part in military action against Syrian government targets in response to chemical-weapons use. The fall of Assad and Syria’s subsequent political transition create a significant break with that period; the scope and durability of relations with the new authorities remain unclear.
Areas of tension
- French support for the Syrian opposition
- French sanctions on the Assad government
- French participation in strikes on Syrian government facilities
- Disputes over chemical-weapons use and accountability
Key developments
France recognized the Syrian National Coalition as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
France joined the United States and United Kingdom in strikes on Syrian government facilities following chemical-weapons use.
The Assad government fell, beginning a political transition in Syria.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and durability of French government engagement with Syria’s transitional authorities are unclear.
- The extent to which sanctions and other policies toward Syria have changed during the political transition is uncertain.