an Asian republic in the Middle East at the east end of the Mediterranean; site of some of the world's most ancient centers of civilization; involved in state-sponsored terrorism

a republic under a military regime with virtually absolute authority in the hands of the President

a republic under an authoritarian regime with virtually absolute author- ity in the hands of the President

(noun) A country of southwest Asia on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Conquered by various powers in ancient times, it was a province of the Ottoman Empire (1516-1918) and became a French territory in 1920. Syria officially gained its independence in 1944. Damascus is the capital and the largest city.