0:04
the return of Syria to the Arab League
0:06
in May after 12 years of suspension
0:09
marks a significant change in the Middle
0:11
East geopolitical Dynamics interestingly
0:15
this shift was orchestrated by the same
0:18
Arab monarchies that once supported the
0:20
Syrian opposition against President
0:22
Bashar al-assad's regimen these leaders
0:26
are now restoring relations with
0:28
al-assad in a move that indicates a
0:31
desire for increased strategic
0:33
self-reliance within the Arab world this
0:36
decision has far-reaching implications
0:38
influencing not only the Middle East but
0:41
also Global powers like Moscow tan and
0:44
Washington Bashar al-assad unexpectedly
0:47
became president of Syria when his older
0:50
brother basil who was initially being
0:53
groomed for the role died in a car
0:55
accident Bashar and opthalmologist
0:59
practicing in London at the time was
1:01
then called back to Damascus to prepare
1:04
for leadership during the Arab Spring in
1:07
2010 2011 al-assad's regime seemed
1:10
unstable with many predicting its
1:13
downfall however with support from tan
1:16
and Moscow Al Assad's regime weathered
1:19
the storm even while facing strong
1:21
opposition kurish Independence movements
1:24
and control over parts of Syria by the
1:26
Islamic State however Al Assad God's
1:30
rule remains compromised Rebel factions
1:32
control idlib Province Turkish forces
1:35
occupy parts of Northern Syria and the
1:37
Kurdish Kazi state in northeastern Syria
1:40
persists aided by the presence of US
1:43
troops moreover Syria's financial and
1:46
political debts to Iran and Russia
1:49
further complicate the situation
1:52
nevertheless Arab monarchies led by the
1:54
United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia
1:57
began pushing for serious reinstatements
2:00
into the Arab League their motives were
2:02
to decrease al-assad's Reliance on tan
2:05
and to counter turkey's Reginal
2:09
aspirations this initiative fits into a
2:11
broader pattern of Arab Nations striving
2:14
for strategic self-reliance often
2:17
working independently of
2:19
Washington this was demonstrated by
2:22
Saudi Arabia's recent normalization of
2:24
relations with Iran in March
2:27
2023 the re-entry of Syria into the Arab
2:30
League is another example of this trend
2:34
while Russia will view serious
2:36
reintegration as a diplomatic Victory
2:40
enthusiastic serious readmission could
2:43
challenge teran's influence in Syria as
2:45
Arab countries could leverage this
2:47
opportunity to undermine Iran's position
2:51
however not all Arab League members are
2:53
eager to restore diplomatic ties with
2:56
Syria Qatar for example is yet to nor
2:59
normalized relations with Syria
3:02
furthermore full acceptance of
3:03
al-assad's legitimacy will remain
3:06
dubious until he can negotiate a
3:09
settlement with the Syrian Kurds and
3:11
turkey This is complicated by us support
3:14
for the Kurds and turkey's demand for a
3:17
buffer zone separating it from Kurdish
3:19
territories in Syria us sanctions
3:23
specifically the Caesar act of 2019 also
3:26
POS a significant obstacle for al- Assad
3:30
this legislation imposes sanctions on
3:32
any entity providing considerable
3:34
support to the Syrian government or its
3:37
Russian and Iranian allies it also
3:40
discourages foreign entities from aiding
3:44
reconstruction this complicat potential
3:46
financial support from Gulf countries
3:49
like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
3:51
Emirates who see reconstruction as a
3:54
means to counter Iran's influence a bill
3:57
currently proposed in the US Cong
3:59
Congress seeks to extend these sanctions
4:01
until 2032 which would continue to
4:05
hinder serious diplomatic normalization
4:07
despite its reintegration into the Arab
4:10
leag the case of Syria highlights an
4:13
ongoing issue Arab strategic
4:16
Independence as Arab leaders become more
4:19
independent and assertive they are
4:21
trying to handle Regional issues without
4:25
intervention this includes engaging with
4:27
Russia in OPEC Plus helping it Dodge
4:30
Western sanctions and easing tensions
4:33
with Iran Arab leaders are also
4:36
re-evaluating their alliance with the us
4:39
while they appreciate American Military
4:40
Support they are seeking a reassessment
4:43
of the principles guiding their Alliance
4:46
current US strategies towards the Middle
4:48
East are lacking a cent formula for
4:51
cooperation past proposals like an Arab
4:55
NATO and the Abraham Accords have proven
5:00
unless the US proposes a new framework
5:03
Arab Nations will continue to pursue
5:06
their own foreign policies and reshape
5:08
their us Alliance causing ongoing
5:11
tension with Washington this is clearly
5:14
exemplified by Bashar al-assad's recent
5:17
diplomatic resurgence
