What are the messages and connotations of the opening of the residence of the American ambassador in Damascus? | policy

29 May 2025 - 9:05 pm

The opening of the American envoy to Syria Thomas Barak The residence of his country’s ambassador in Damascus for the first time after 13 years of cutting ties between the two countries questions about what this means at this time, and the reflection of the move on files of interest to Washington in Syria.

The writer and political researcher Moayad Ghazlan Qablawi believes that it is a great message, adds symbolic in diplomatic progress, and represents an implicit American recognition towards a complete lifting of sanctions, and rebuilding trust between the two parties.

According to Keblawi’s interview with the “Beyond the News” program, the move is internationally legitimized the new Syrian government, and indicates “Washington’s transformation from the policy of anticipation and cautious contact to the exchange of confidence and direct concern in American interests in Syria.”

He concluded that this path establishes a new Arab axis in combating terrorism, noting the statements of members Congress Iran should be excluded an investment in regional stability and security.

Washington is betting on the economic power in Syria to prevent return ISISAnd Kiblawi indicated that the sleeping cells were falling in the organization in Aleppo and Damascus countryside.

In turn, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the American envoy met the president Ahmed Al -Shara And the foreign ministers Asaad Al -Shaibani Defense Muhlaf Abu Qasra And the head of the intelligence service Hussein Al -Salama.

Barak said that the American president Donald Trump He made a bold decision on Syria without conditions or requirements, and his vision is summarized in giving the Syrian government an opportunity not to interfere.

In turn, Stephen Heidman, a researcher at the Middle East Policy Center at the Brookings Institute, said that the move reflects the attention of Trump, at the same time acknowledges changes and encourages more of it towards a comprehensive transitional process that respects human rights and minorities.

But he did not rule out the return of talking about American conditions on Syria to fully lift the sanctions, especially when discussing Congress ending sanctions.Caesar Law“.

Hydeman stressed the need for an “important change” inside Syria, in order for the lifting of sanctions to be influential in the Syrian economy, such as the judicial system and the application of decisions fairly, with its indication that the new government is facing the challenges of structuring.

On the other hand, Trump encourages American businessmen and companies to invest in Syria, according to Heidman, who emphasized that the United States has an interest in Syria’s security and stability.

Internal and external challenges

Keblawi expressed his conviction that Syria needs a security arrest to build its internal forehead, pointing to the American statements that it is necessary to respect the line of disengagement between Damascus and Tel Aviv.

On the internal level, Keblawi said that Ankara believes that there is a delay in the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (Slic) In the structure of the Ministry of Defense, stressing the need for “SDF” to absorb that international legitimacy is towards Damascus, not the other way around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gu4cpeButy

Regarding relationships with IsraelThe researcher at the Middle East Policy Center at the Brookings Institute believes that the “non -assault” treaty between Syria and Israel will support efforts to strengthen the power of the new Syrian economy, as security is one of the main obstacles to investments.

Hydeman acknowledged that Israel is responsible for the attacks in Syria since the fall of a regime Bashar al -Assad In late 2024, while the president’s administration insisted Ahmed Al -Shara On “peaceful relationships”.

In this context, the American envoy said, “We need to start the agreement of non -attack between Syria And Israel and talking about the border, “stressing that it is” a problem that can be solved, but the matter begins with dialogue. “

Regarding the appointment of the American ambassador to Turkey as an envoy to Washington in Damascus, Hydeman said that Trump sees in Ankara a “major factor in formulating the political future of Syria”, stressing that the new envoy is a good option and knows the entire region.