The report includes direct comments by Muhsen al-Mustafa on the roles of the United States, Russia and Turkey in Syria, the distinction between military patrols and territorial control, and the limits of arrangements over areas of influence.
In a report by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the data was based on several sources, including studies and research papers published by the Omran Center, including the paper "Chain of Command and Order," which was used as a reference in the report.
Muhsen AlMustafa spoke about the circumstances of appointing the new defense minister in the Syrian regime’s government, stressing that military hierarchy is required and respected according to the Military Service Law, but the circumstances in Syria allow the regime to bypass it. The Military Service Law stipulates that promotion rules are not binding during wartime, and promotion to the rank of General is carried out by selecting from among the officers holding the rank of Major General who have served at least four years in that rank, and this promotion is issued by decree.
The report reuses published analysis of the chief of staff’s duties and Russian influence over the appointment in its coverage of the post being filled.
Muhsen AlMustafa, believes that "the appointment of Major General Ali Mahmoud Abbas as Minister of Defense is illogical, as he is not the most senior officer after General Ali Ayoub, especially since many generals in the army are more senior than him." Al-Mustafa told Al-Istiqlal: "This is why Abbas was promoted to the rank of General. He has also never commanded a military division or a corps like the other ministers since the era of General Mustafa Tlass, making him the first defense minister to hold the rank of Major General since 1972."
Muhsen AlMustafa a déclaré à "L’Orient-Le Jour" que « le régime veut en effet réduire le caractère confessionnel des forces armées en plaçant un officier sunnite à l’avant-scène, alors qu’en réalité, le commandement effectif des forces revient à des officiers alaouites, puisque les postes militaires et les centres principaux de l’armée sont dirigés par des officiers issus de la communauté alaouite. Il a ajouté que le rôle du ministre Ali Abbas se concentrera sur les aspects administratifs et la coordination avec les autres institutions publiques, d’autant plus qu’il n’a jamais commandé de division ni d’organisme militaire. »
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Muhsen AlMustafa told "L’Orient-Le Jour" that "the regime indeed wants to reduce the sectarian nature of the armed forces by placing a Sunni officer at the forefront of events, while in reality, the actual leadership of the forces belongs to Alawite officers, since the military positions and the main centers in the army are led by officers from the Alawite sect. He added that Minister Ali Abbas’s role will focus on administrative aspects and coordination with other public institutions, especially since he has never commanded a division or a military body."
Nick Coleman’s article for 50 Shades of Federalism cites Power Centers in the Syrian Army while discussing senior military and intelligence posts, and includes the study in its references.
The report cites “Baath Democracy: The 2020 Elections and Approaches to Entrenching Article Eight” in its discussion of the party’s growing parliamentary representation since 2000 at the expense of other National Progressive Front parties and independents.
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj’s GCSP report cites Baath Democracy in its discussion of wealthy candidates and internal party electoral consultations. The reference appears on page 24 and in note 155 on page 39.
The EASO report draws on a joint interview with Muhsen al-Mustafa and Nawar Shaban dated 5 February 2021. The interview is cited in its discussion of security clearance, detention and overlapping security agencies affecting returnees.
Mohammad Biqai’s article on civil–military relations in a new Syrian state, in Qalamoun issue 15, cites “Power Centers in the Syrian Army” on page 232.
The feature cites “Baath Democracy: The 2020 Elections and Approaches to Entrenching Article Eight” when discussing presidential candidacy rules and the Baath Party’s parliamentary representation.
