DAMASCUS, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Syria commemorates Tuesday the anniversary of its return to the Arab League (AL).
Local observers, while acknowledging the diplomatic breakthrough, said it produced limited outcomes over the past year due to widespread U.S. sanctions on Syria and geopolitical complexities.
"We can't say today that the effects covered all political, economic, security, and military aspects," said Syrian analyst Muhammad al-Omari.
"However, the return to the AL facilitated a partial breakthrough in some areas, such as the restoration of relations with certain Arab countries, notably the Gulf states like Saudi Arabia," he added.
Al-Omari highlighted the political and security progress resulting from renewed relations, citing increased communication and mediation efforts.
Yet, he emphasized the lack of substantial economic impact, attributing this to external pressures, including U.S. sanctions and reluctance from certain Arab nations to fully engage with Syria.
Maher Ihsan, another political expert, offered a more cautious assessment, saying positive developments, such as the restoration of Syrian-Saudi relations, have failed to catalyze significant changes in Syria's politics, economy, or diplomacy.
Furthermore, he highlighted the detrimental impact of U.S. sanctions and hostile policies towards Syria on its relations within the AL.
Ihsan suggested that fear of repercussions and alignment with U.S. interests may hinder robust cooperation between Syria and certain members, despite Syria's formal reentry into the league.
Experts agreed that Syria's return to the AL is overshadowed by heightened international tensions, notably the U.S.-Russia standoff over Ukraine and Israeli military actions in Gaza.
These developments have overshadowed efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, relegating it to a lower priority on the global stage, according to experts
On May 7, 2023, foreign ministers from AL member states reached a consensus to reinstate Syria's membership after more than a decade of suspension. ■
