This book explores how the ethically inconsistent behaviour by international entities can be rooted in moral fibers of the decision-makers, their varying foci depending on their self-interest, ignoring long established norms of international conduct on which they rest. It explores further to what extent such decisions may be shaped or modified by contextual factors leading eventually to the dismantling of the existing international system. It analyses the various aspects of the Syrian situation, its determinants and variations across socio-economic and demographic factors as a precursor to being replicate in other international situations. Rajendra Abhyankar taught at the ONeill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA. He taught courses on the Practice of Diplomacy at the graduate and undergraduate levels and a Capstone course at the graduate level. Professor Abhyankars long and varied diplomatic career since 1968 culminated as Indias Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg. He has also been Indian Ambassador to Cyprus, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan. He was Deputy High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka and Consul General of India, San Francisco. He has been Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs from 2001 to 2004. He is the author/co-author of six books on various aspects of Indias Foreign Policy.

Chapter 1: The Unending Syrian Conflict: Internal Fall-Out and External Impact-- Chapter 2: Why Syria Matters -- Chapter 3: The Syrian Insurgency and Its Aftermath -- Chapter 4: The Assad Presidency: Should Longevity Trump Acceptability? -- Chapter 5: Role of Regional and International Powers -- Chapter 6: International Efforts Towards Peace Agency and Results -- Chapter 6: Future Evolution.