unday saw the reinstatement of the Syrian Arab Republic back into the Arab League following a 12-year suspension. With the strategic outcome of the Syrian war having been in favor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for years now, this comes as the crowning of ongoing regional efforts to normalize ties with al-Assad’s government. The obvious focus of such a decision is to quickly resolve practical issues affecting regional governments.
This imminent and formal step, hailed by Syria’s allies but criticized by the Syrian opposition and the West—particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, was done by the Arabs as a sign of defiance and independence. Both supporters and opposition were quick to have their foreign ministries share public statements.
Calls for having Syria readmitted into the League have been in the political arena for a while; advocated by Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and later the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Meetings between different heads of state resulted in economic and security cooperation over the last couple of years, although without tangible results due to Western economic sanctions. Political negotiations and high-level meetings were also conducted by the UAE with a clear Arab-Gulf strategy that would realign regional politics closer to Syria. These crescendoing developments were in preparation for more bilateral regional changes that would see the Syrian government play its previous role in Arab policymaking.
Now What?
This decision is not a magic trick. It is the much-expected progress of the political journey that the Gulf has been undertaking, starting with the UAE’s call for the end of Syria’s isolation. The country’s reinstatement opens more opportunities to the region, while still limiting economic activities, reconstruction, or financial gains. Western sanctions are still effective, and while regional leaders are actively engaging with Syria, they also don’t want to completely tip the scale toward upsetting the U.S.
Various regional developments have paved the way for this result. The main culprit is the progressive steps in the Iranian nuclear file, as UAE and Saudi leaderships have drawn closer to negotiations than ever before, from the Baghdad talks in April 2022 to the latest China-brokered deal in April 2023. Saudi Arabia, which has opposed any type of reconciliation with the Syrian government, now sees an opportunity to settle with Assad after having reached a viable rapprochement with his key Iranian ally.
After 12 years of isolation and sanctions, the regional political gains that could result from a rapprochement with Syria seem to offset the status quo. Last week, Jordan laid out a roadmap during talks with envoys from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. Dubbed the “Jordanian initiative,” according to the AP, which spoke to Amman’s top diplomat, the meeting was the “beginning of an Arab-led political path” for a solution to the crisis.
The region has witnessed a migration explosion resulting from several wars happening in tandem. From Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, and Syria, an exodus of millions of refugees has caused regional and international foreign policies to restrict immigration movements, thus resulting in unsustainable situations and living conditions within the Arab countries. According to media reports, about 21 million people are displaced, either internally within Syria or as refugees abroad.
Not Full Normalization
While Anti-Syrian sentiment has been on the rise, other files—including drug trafficking in the region, immigration, Iranian, Yemen’s truce, Sudan’s war, and Turkey’s elections—dictate the necessity of a more solid and viable regional dialogue with Syria.
Drug trafficking and border control and security are concerning issues within the region: a massive multi-billion-dollar network of Captagon trade, an addictive amphetamine, has been linked to Syria. There is a steady flow of headlines about shipments and traffickers arrested with merchandise bound for Saudi Arabia. Better relations with the Syrian government can help curb this phenomenon.
Syria’s return to the League does not mean full normalization. This was echoed by the League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who told reporters in Cairo that "the reinstatement of Syria does not mean normalization of relations between Arab countries and Syria,” and by the absence of several key countries such as Qatar. It is also not the gateway to solving regional problems, yet it does open the door to further wanted changes.
A Jordanian official quoted by Reuters said that Syria’s reinstatement as a full member of the Arab League, and the restoration of its role within the international arena, could result in the lifting of sanctions. Serious Syrian steps toward reaching a political solution, as showcased in the Jordan Initiative, can create an international lobby in support of Assad. This in return can spearhead calls for the lifting of Western sanctions and the re-opening of official financial and economic channels, including much-needed funding for reconstruction in Syria.
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Syria’s Return to the Arab League Raises New Questions
Image created via Midjourney.
May 15, 2023
Syria's return to the Arab League doesn't mean that relations within the Arab world have returned to normal. But bringing Syria back into the fold may set the stage for further political and economic reform in Syria, writes Marita Kassis.
S
unday saw the reinstatement of the Syrian Arab Republic back into the Arab League following a 12-year suspension. With the strategic outcome of the Syrian war having been in favor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for years now, this comes as the crowning of ongoing regional efforts to normalize ties with al-Assad’s government. The obvious focus of such a decision is to quickly resolve practical issues affecting regional governments.
This imminent and formal step, hailed by Syria’s allies but criticized by the Syrian opposition and the West—particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, was done by the Arabs as a sign of defiance and independence. Both supporters and opposition were quick to have their foreign ministries share public statements.
Calls for having Syria readmitted into the League have been in the political arena for a while; advocated by Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and later the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Meetings between different heads of state resulted in economic and security cooperation over the last couple of years, although without tangible results due to Western economic sanctions. Political negotiations and high-level meetings were also conducted by the UAE with a clear Arab-Gulf strategy that would realign regional politics closer to Syria. These crescendoing developments were in preparation for more bilateral regional changes that would see the Syrian government play its previous role in Arab policymaking.
Now What?
This decision is not a magic trick. It is the much-expected progress of the political journey that the Gulf has been undertaking, starting with the UAE’s call for the end of Syria’s isolation. The country’s reinstatement opens more opportunities to the region, while still limiting economic activities, reconstruction, or financial gains. Western sanctions are still effective, and while regional leaders are actively engaging with Syria, they also don’t want to completely tip the scale toward upsetting the U.S.
Various regional developments have paved the way for this result. The main culprit is the progressive steps in the Iranian nuclear file, as UAE and Saudi leaderships have drawn closer to negotiations than ever before, from the Baghdad talks in April 2022 to the latest China-brokered deal in April 2023. Saudi Arabia, which has opposed any type of reconciliation with the Syrian government, now sees an opportunity to settle with Assad after having reached a viable rapprochement with his key Iranian ally.
After 12 years of isolation and sanctions, the regional political gains that could result from a rapprochement with Syria seem to offset the status quo. Last week, Jordan laid out a roadmap during talks with envoys from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. Dubbed the “Jordanian initiative,” according to the AP, which spoke to Amman’s top diplomat, the meeting was the “beginning of an Arab-led political path” for a solution to the crisis.
The region has witnessed a migration explosion resulting from several wars happening in tandem. From Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, and Syria, an exodus of millions of refugees has caused regional and international foreign policies to restrict immigration movements, thus resulting in unsustainable situations and living conditions within the Arab countries. According to media reports, about 21 million people are displaced, either internally within Syria or as refugees abroad.
Not Full Normalization
While Anti-Syrian sentiment has been on the rise, other files—including drug trafficking in the region, immigration, Iranian, Yemen’s truce, Sudan’s war, and Turkey’s elections—dictate the necessity of a more solid and viable regional dialogue with Syria.
Drug trafficking and border control and security are concerning issues within the region: a massive multi-billion-dollar network of Captagon trade, an addictive amphetamine, has been linked to Syria. There is a steady flow of headlines about shipments and traffickers arrested with merchandise bound for Saudi Arabia. Better relations with the Syrian government can help curb this phenomenon.
Syria’s return to the League does not mean full normalization. This was echoed by the League’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who told reporters in Cairo that "the reinstatement of Syria does not mean normalization of relations between Arab countries and Syria,” and by the absence of several key countries such as Qatar. It is also not the gateway to solving regional problems, yet it does open the door to further wanted changes.
A Jordanian official quoted by Reuters said that Syria’s reinstatement as a full member of the Arab League, and the restoration of its role within the international arena, could result in the lifting of sanctions. Serious Syrian steps toward reaching a political solution, as showcased in the Jordan Initiative, can create an international lobby in support of Assad. This in return can spearhead calls for the lifting of Western sanctions and the re-opening of official financial and economic channels, including much-needed funding for reconstruction in Syria.
