Neutralism in retrospect : definitions and paradigms -- Syria's road to independence : the emergence of pragmatic/calculative nationalist neutralism -- The rise of "anti-Western neutralism" in post-mandatory Syria -- Neutralism in practice : Syria and the consolidation of the Arab-Asian group -- Communism, Syria, and neutralist trends -- Syria's rival schools of neutralism and the road to union -- Nasserite "positive neutralism" and the United Arab Republic -- The rise of the Neo-Ba'th and the gradual demise of neutralism -- Modes of practiced Arab neutralism.