From Subjects to Agents : Spatializing Security and Reverse Securitization in Sweida's Uprisings

Aldoughli, Rahaf (2025) From Subjects to Agents : Spatializing Security and Reverse Securitization in Sweida's Uprisings. The International Spectator: Italian Journal of International Affairs. ISSN 0393-2729 (In Press)

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Abstract

This article examines the evolution of securitization in the Druze-majority governorate of Sweida, Syria, through a reverse securitization framework. Traditionally, securitization theory has emphasized state-centric approaches where the state identifies existential threats and justifies extraordinary measures. However, this study explores how marginalized communities, such as those in Sweida, transform from securitized subjects into securitizing agents by actively reframing security narratives. By analyzing key historical phases—vertical (1970-2011), horizontal (2011-2022), and reverse securitization (2022-2024)—and drawing on data from community-based news agencies and public speeches, the article illustrates the dynamic shifts in the relationship between the state, the governed, and space. The findings highlight how spaces and cultural symbols are strategically reclaimed by the community to resist state oppression, redefine power dynamics, and challenge traditional notions of security in authoritarian contexts. This research offers new insights into the evolution of securitization theory, emphasizing its relevance and adaptability in non-Western contexts. Unlike everyday resistance, which operates within the confines of the existing securitization framework, reverse securitization actively repositions the regime as the primary security threat. This research contributes to ongoing debates on securitization theory, highlighting its adaptability in non-Western authoritarian settings where contested spaces and counter-narratives redefine security.