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The Trust Gap: Syria's Obstacles in Joining the International Coalition Against Terrorism
Reports indicate that Syria's efforts to join the international coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have faced notable setbacks for the second time. Various sources, including from the United States, France, and Syria, have confirmed that these consultations have halted, reflecting the widening gap between the objectives of Western countries, primarily the United States, and the Syrian government's responses to these demands.
In this context, the challenge facing the transitional government in Damascus is to establish its reliability as a partner in the regional and international security system. Observers question whether the stagnation in joining the coalition stems from a profound misunderstanding between the West and Damascus or from a lack of political will alignment, as Damascus still lacks the necessary elements to be an effective partner in international counter-terrorism efforts.
Internally, sources have reported that Paris, in cooperation with Germany and Saudi intervention, has made intense efforts to convince Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara to submit a new application for coalition membership. This initiative comes in light of the belief that joining would positively impact the trajectory of the transitional phase in Syria, and enhance Damascus's standing in the eyes of the West, particularly Washington.
It is noteworthy that the international coalition against ISIS, led by the United States, is not only a military component but also an international standard for measuring whether countries align with the democratic values upheld by Western powers. According to Syrian researcher Malik Al-Hafez, the importance of military professionalism and the rejection of cross-border militia dominance are essential criteria for joining.
In a related context, during the opening of the German embassy in Damascus on March 20, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Syrian authorities to join the international coalition, adding that it is the responsibility of Damascus to control extremist groups within its ranks and hold accountable those responsible for crimes, particularly referencing events in coastal areas where hundreds, mostly from the Alawite community, lost their lives.
Despite ongoing efforts, an informed Syrian source confirmed that Damascus had submitted a new application for membership ten days ago, based on the support it received from French, German, and Saudi efforts. The Syrian government feels it has successfully passed the government formation test with high success, despite the various pressures it faced.
However, it seems that the international coalition has not accepted the request, with clear reasons prompting such a decision. The application has been left hanging without an official response, which could be seen as a deadline for Damascus to meet the required conditions. This reflects the growing distrust in the Syrian regime's ability to live up to the necessary partnership for combating terrorism.
Al-Hafez indicated that Saudi Arabia was among the countries pushing for the acceptance of the transitional government's membership, demonstrating a regional Arab desire to integrate the new Syria into international systems, provided that it undergoes a fundamental transformation in its past practices. Yet, the obstacle appears to lie in the failure to achieve this break.
On the other hand, a diplomatic source in Washington reported that Damascus still tends to have unrealistic bets to secure political recognition from the United States. Weeks ago, the Biden administration issued a clear request to the Syrian transitional authorities, including a list of prominent military officers in the Syrian army who hold foreign nationalities, indicating that the presence of these officers poses a threat to global security. These officers represent seven individuals who were promoted under Resolution No. 8 issued by the Commander-in-Chief, who had previously authorized Al-Shara's presidency.
In this context, the American source considered the Syrian government's refusal to respond to this request as a precise action lacking wisdom, as the clear goal of this request was to test the possibilities of building trust with the new American administration, and subsequently advance a request to join the international coalition.
In a comment, Al-Hafez stated that the transitional Syrian government's insistence on retaining foreign leaders in senior positions within the new army is not only inexplicable...
