Syria’s membership in the Arab League was suspended following the regime's brutal suppression of the protests that broke out in the country in March 2011. This week, meeting in Cairo, the Arab League foreign ministers announced Syria's return to the organization already at the upcoming meeting, scheduled for May 19 in Saudi Arabia. The reasons for Syria’s return are led by the regional understanding that the solution to the crisis in Syria is diplomatic and not military, and the common desire to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The decision was approved by a majority and not by consensus, with the prominent opponents of the move being Qatar, which was absent from the vote, Kuwait, and Morocco. It was also noted, though without further detail, that this is a "conditional" return.
This is a gradual process of Syria’s return to the Arab world, which gained momentum at the end of 2021 with the renewal of relations with Jordan, strengthened following the earthquake that struck Syria and led to extensive humanitarian aid from the countries of the region, and culminated in the renewal of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia in March. A concrete discussion on the issue of returning to the League was held last week in Jordan among representatives from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. These events are what prepared the ground for the current move.
What lies behind the regional normalization and Syria’s return to the organization?
Although the Arab League did not publicize the conditions for Syria’s re-inclusion, it has been known for some time that an Arab deal, led by Jordan, was forged, and was intended to chart the way to the end of the conflict in Syria. According to the plan, the Arab countries will recognize the legitimacy of Assad, pour billions of dollars into the reconstruction of the country, and pressure the international community to remove the economic sanctions imposed on the regime, which effectively block any possibility of investing money in the reconstruction of the country. In return, Assad will commit to allow the safe return of the refugees to Syria; curb the drug industry that thrives under his auspices and floods the Middle East with captagon pills; limit the Iranian presence and influence in his territory; and finally, begin a dialogue with the opposition elements.
So far, there has been no reference, let alone a commitment, on the part of the regime, to follow any of the conditions, and at this stage, Assad enjoys the gift of renewed legitimacy at no cost. And while the significance of Syria's return to the Arab League is mainly symbolic, it foreshadows, at least cognitively, the end of the revolution and the victory of the dictator from Damascus.
Syria’s membership in the Arab League was suspended following the regime's brutal suppression of the protests that broke out in the country in March 2011. This week, meeting in Cairo, the Arab League foreign ministers announced Syria's return to the organization already at the upcoming meeting, scheduled for May 19 in Saudi Arabia. The reasons for Syria’s return are led by the regional understanding that the solution to the crisis in Syria is diplomatic and not military, and the common desire to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The decision was approved by a majority and not by consensus, with the prominent opponents of the move being Qatar, which was absent from the vote, Kuwait, and Morocco. It was also noted, though without further detail, that this is a "conditional" return.
This is a gradual process of Syria’s return to the Arab world, which gained momentum at the end of 2021 with the renewal of relations with Jordan, strengthened following the earthquake that struck Syria and led to extensive humanitarian aid from the countries of the region, and culminated in the renewal of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia in March. A concrete discussion on the issue of returning to the League was held last week in Jordan among representatives from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. These events are what prepared the ground for the current move.
What lies behind the regional normalization and Syria’s return to the organization?
Although the Arab League did not publicize the conditions for Syria’s re-inclusion, it has been known for some time that an Arab deal, led by Jordan, was forged, and was intended to chart the way to the end of the conflict in Syria. According to the plan, the Arab countries will recognize the legitimacy of Assad, pour billions of dollars into the reconstruction of the country, and pressure the international community to remove the economic sanctions imposed on the regime, which effectively block any possibility of investing money in the reconstruction of the country. In return, Assad will commit to allow the safe return of the refugees to Syria; curb the drug industry that thrives under his auspices and floods the Middle East with captagon pills; limit the Iranian presence and influence in his territory; and finally, begin a dialogue with the opposition elements.
So far, there has been no reference, let alone a commitment, on the part of the regime, to follow any of the conditions, and at this stage, Assad enjoys the gift of renewed legitimacy at no cost. And while the significance of Syria's return to the Arab League is mainly symbolic, it foreshadows, at least cognitively, the end of the revolution and the victory of the dictator from Damascus.