How would Hobbes comment on a modern day civil war and/or protest?

Thomas Hobbes’ writes during the end of a civil war when he describes the laws of nature in his book, Leviathan. His political philosophies are influential worldwide and his ideas can be broadly applied to modern day cases. When reading Leviathan, I was particularly interested in what Hobbes would think and how he would comment on modern day civil wars and protests particularly on the current conflict in Syria. To broadly and generally apply Hobbes’ thinking, I refer back to the beginning of the Second Part, particularly chapter 18. This post is just meant to spark debate and questions, by no means is this a comprehensive analysis of how Thomas Hobbes would evaluate a modern day conflict.

The rights of the sovereign as Hobbes discusses in Chapter 18, the second part of his book, states that there are certain rights, power, for a commonwealth once it is instituted. These rights are included, but not limited to: “the subjects cannot change the forme of government”; “soveraigne Power cannot be forfeited”; “the soveraigns Actions cannot be justly accused by the subject”; “and of making war and peace, as he shall think best” (Hobbes 96-100). Hobbes states that the subjects should not challenge the sovereign and that the sovereign will do what is best for the people. The sovereign, in the case of modern day Syria, is Bashar al-Assad, who has served as the president of Syria since the death of his father. The current Syrian war has been unfolding since the protests that began with the Arab Spring. Syria is in a state of war and chaos; the condition that Hobbes described as the natural state of man.

The point of having a commonwealth instituted is to combat against the natural state of man, which is chaotic. This is due to the fact that “in the nature of man, we find three principall causes of quarreell. First, Competition; Secondly, Diffidence; Thirdly, Glory” (Hobbes 70). The natural state of man is chaotic, without peace, and is plagued by fear. Man has a right to peace, as explained by The Fundamental Law of Nature, “that every man, ought to endeavor Peace, as farre as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek and use, all helps, and advantages of Warre” (Hobbes 72). So the people of Syria have a right to peace and their instituted commonwealth should protect them from constant war.

The people of Syria are protesting against the government, which according to Hobbes, should not complain about the sovereign because “it follows, that whatsoever he doth, it can be no injury to any of his Subjects; nor ought he to be any of them accused on Injustice” (Hobbes 98). The Sovereign should not be accused of injustice by the subjects. However, Bashar al-Assad is accused of injustice and there is civil strife. I believe that Hobbes would want the people of Syria to enjoy their right to live in peace, but I do not think that he would agree with the method in which it is being carried out now because of the current state Syria is in. Hobbes would

What do you think? How would Hobbes respond to other protests? What if the sovereign is not doing what is best for the people, then can the subjects accuse of injustice? Would Hobbes agree to that?