Why Syria's small oil reserves have become the linchpin for political control in the region
The Syrian economy has collapsed. The oil could be just enough to prop up the Syrian government — or a competing power. And who controls oil-rich stretches of the Syrian desert could determine who controls large regions of the country.
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### Instruction: Why Syria's small oil reserves have become the linchpin for political control in the region

### Response: The Syrian economy has collapsed. The oil could be just enough to prop up the Syrian government — or a competing power. And who controls oil-rich stretches of the Syrian desert could determine who controls large regions of the country.