Recording of 'Romanticizing Masculinity in Baathist Syria (Book Launch and Discussion)' Available to Watch
We are pleased to share a recording of the launch and discussion of Dr Rahaf Aldoughli’s book, Romanticizing Masculinity in Baathist Syria, organised by the BRISMES Outreach & Pedagogy Committee.
Dr Rahaf Aldoughli is a Lecturer in Middle East and North African Studies at Lancaster University and senior editor at Cogent Social Sciences. Her research explores nationalism, sectarianism, and political attitudes in authoritarian contexts through an interdisciplinary lens.
In Romanticizing Masculinity in Baathist Syria, Dr Rahaf Aldoughli examines how the Syrian Baathist regime fused patriarchal ideology with authoritarian nationalism to produce a romanticized ideal of masculinity—one that legitimized violence and reinforced state control. Through close analysis of political texts, symbols, and representations, Rahaf Aldoughli reveals how the regime constructed a masculine identity tied to discipline, sacrifice, and national unity. This book offers a vital lens on how gender operates not at the margins, but at the very heart of authoritarian power.