Red Star over Damascus

In 1957-58, while Egypt and Syria were negotiating what would become the United Arab Republic, there were fears of a communist takeover in Damascus. It was these fears which convinced Nasser to accept a union of the 2 states, which ironically the champion of the Arab cause didn't want very much, as a way of putting down the Syrian communists. So WI the reds had taken over?
 
In 1957-58, while Egypt and Syria were negotiating what would become the United Arab Republic, there were fears of a communist takeover in Damascus. It was these fears which convinced Nasser to accept a union of the 2 states, which ironically the champion of the Arab cause didn't want very much, as a way of putting down the Syrian communists. So WI the reds had taken over?

Syria was basically the pinnacle of political instability, it wouldn't do much because the Soviets and the Warsaw pact equipped them and financed them anyway... plus with that instability, its unlikely that the government would be around more than two years before the army or some internal power overthrew them. They wouldn't join the warsaw pact, and the Soviets would NOT be allowed to set up bases there without the U.S. throwing a cuban missle crises style hissy fit
 
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