In an immediate sense, the hinge that moved things along was the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria in February 2023. For Assad this was the beginning of what would be a triumphal return to the Arab fold, culminating in his government’s readmission into the Arab League in May. [xv] It is a desperately needed lifeline if he hopes to solidify and rebuild his power base in Syria, much less rebuild the country. [xvi] At first, it was more strategic, trying to reduce the Iranian footprint in Syria—and for some even countering Turkish influence in the country. Finally, there is a sense that Assad survived and is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and with his country located at such a strategic nodal point, leaders in the region believe they best deal with what they know.

Source: The Guardian July 04, 2023 17:20 UTC