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Bashar al-Assad and the Islamic Summit: The Rhetoric of Peace and the Practice of Oppression
In a scene filled with contradictions, Bashar al-Assad appeared at the Islamic Summit in Riyadh, speaking of peace, ending violence, and the Palestinian cause. However, his speech was nothing more than a transparent attempt to rebrand himself as a “resistance leader” in the region, deliberately ignoring his central role in destroying his country, displacing his people, imprisoning them, and opening the doors for Iran to implement its expansionist agenda.
The Palestinian Cause as a Tool: The Legacy of Father and Son
Like his father, Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad has used the Palestinian cause as a pretext to justify his oppressive policies and advance his domestic and regional agendas. Hafez monopolized the rhetoric of “resistance” for decades, but his actions only served to consolidate his grip on power while tightening his regime’s security control over Syrians.
Bashar followed the same path, further exploiting the Palestinian cause to gain regional legitimacy, even while his air force and artillery wreaked havoc on the Syrian people. For the Assad regime, Palestine has always been a propaganda tool to distract from domestic oppression and war crimes, not a genuine cause to defend.
Opening the Doors to Iran and Enabling Its Regional Agenda
Any discussion of Assad’s speech at the Islamic Summit cannot ignore the role he has played in opening Syria to Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah. Since the beginning of his rule, Bashar al-Assad has played a key role in facilitating Iranian penetration of the region, contributing to the destabilization of Arab states.
• Hezbollah: The Syrian regime’s support for Hezbollah remains a cornerstone of Iran’s influence in Lebanon, creating a perpetual threat to regional stability, especially for Gulf nations.
• Iran in Syria: Since the Syrian revolution erupted, Syria has become a platform for implementing Iran’s agenda, from forming sectarian militias and altering the demographic composition of certain Syrian areas to strengthening Iranian military influence on Israel’s borders.
Failed Arab Attempts to Distance Assad from Iran
Several Arab states have tried, on more than one occasion, to bring Bashar al-Assad back into the Arab fold by enticing him to sever ties with Iran. However, all these attempts have failed. The Syrian regime has proven that it sees no benefit in returning to the Arab sphere, preferring complete dependence on Iran and its allies.
• Iran’s Entrenched Role: Despite Arab efforts, Iran has become the primary strategic ally of the Syrian regime, providing it with military and economic support to ensure its survival.
• Lack of Arab Trust: Recent developments suggest that Assad’s return to Arab platforms does not reflect genuine consensus but rather a pragmatic effort by some states to manage the Syrian crisis with minimal losses, without expecting any fundamental change in the regime’s policies.
The Hypocrisy of Assad’s Rhetoric
Assad’s rhetoric about peace and ending violence is utterly inconsistent with his actions, which have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. His talk of Palestine and peace cannot be separated from his policies that paved the way for Syria’s disintegration, turning it into a battleground for regional and international conflicts.
Conclusion: Assad and the Illusion of Legitimacy
Bashar al-Assad continues to attempt to polish his image through summits and international platforms, exploiting the same outdated slogans he inherited from his father. Yet, the reality remains that he represents nothing more than a repressive security regime that serves the agendas of Iran and Hezbollah. He has no place in any genuine peace project in the region.
Unless Assad is held accountable for his crimes, any talk of peace—whether in Syria or Palestine—will remain a mere political mirage, offering no real solutions.
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