SYRIA’S Return To The ARAB LEAGUE: Symbolic Victory or Regional Breakthrough?

THE ARAB LEAGUE’S DECISION TO RE-ADMIT SYRIA

Analysts believe that the Arab League’s decision to reinstate Syria after a 12-year ban is a huge symbolic win for Damascus, a symptom of a broader regional realignment, and a reflection of the United States’ diminishing influence. At the Arab League’s headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, foreign ministers from member nations voted in favor of Syria’s inclusion.

The choice was made ahead of the May 19 Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia and in the midst of a flurry of recent regional efforts to normalize relations with Damascus. Early on in the uprising-turned-conflict, which has killed approximately 500,000 people since March 2011 and displaced another 23 million people, Syria’s membership in the Arab League was suspended 12 years ago.

Arab nations have sought to improve relations as al-Assad tightened his grip on Syrian territory, hoping to resolve the conflict through an “Arab-led political approach.” In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the decision for Syria to leave also entails a commitment to ongoing discussions with Arab states to progressively find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

THE REASONS BEHIND SYRIA’S SUSPENSION

President Bashar al-involvement Assad’s in the Syrian civil war, which started as an uprising against his rule in 2011 but quickly escalated into a brutal conflict that has killed close to 500,000 people since March 2011 and displaced another 23 million, was one of the factors that led to Syria’s suspension from the Arab League.

A representative from Syria’s opposition was given the Arab League seat after many Arab states withdrew their envoys from Damascus. The 22-member Arab League was established in 1945 to foster regional cooperation and settle disputes, but it is viewed as toothless and has struggled to do so for a long time, especially in the wake of the recent wars in Syria, Yemen, and Libya as well as the acrimonious diplomatic rift between Qatar and the Gulf monarchies.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Saudi Arabia and Iran’s reestablished diplomatic ties as a result of an agreement mediated by China, and Syria’s re-entry into the Arab League this year signals a much bigger realignment shaping the region.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SYRIA’S RETURN

The fact that Syria has rejoined the Arab League represents a big symbolic win for Damascus, a shift in the balance of power in the region, and the declining influence of the United States. Despite the continued fighting, Saudi Arabia and Iran’s restoration of diplomatic ties as a result of an agreement mediated by China symbolizes a much wider realignment shaping the region.

Though mostly symbolic, the choice signified a victory for Damascus. The readmission to the Arab League is not anticipated to result in an immediate release of reconstruction funds in the country that has been devastated by war given the continued Western sanctions against Mr. Assad’s administration.

Arab nations have sought to improve relations as al-Assad tightened his grip on Syrian territory, hoping to resolve the conflict through an “Arab-led political approach.” The re-establishment of ties with Damascus is part of a larger regional political shift that has seen Israel and the Gulf states grow closer together while Turkey has become more alone.

THE FUTURE OF SYRIA-ARAB LEAGUE RELATIONS

The future of relations between Syria and the Arab League is uncertain because certain nations in the area are still hesitant to readmit Damascus without resolving outstanding issues. Many citizens of the opposition-held region of northern Syria and members of the country’s political opposition are enraged by the decision to admit Syria back into the Arab League because they view it as a justification for the government’s attacks against them over the course of the conflict, which has now lasted 12 years.

To be consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for talks on a political transition, the Arab League’s statement focused on the necessity of concrete actions for a progressive resolution to the Syrian conflict.

The re-establishment of ties with Damascus is part of a larger regional political shift that has seen Israel and the Gulf states grow closer together while Turkey has become more alone. The readmission to the Arab League is not anticipated to result in an immediate release of reconstruction funds in the country that has been devastated by war given the continued Western sanctions against Mr. Assad’s administration.

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