The fall of the Baath Party’s totalitarian regime in Syria should be good news for the region and the world, as the fall of the despotic Baath regime in Iraq had been. Nonetheless, we must be cautious. Tyranny is a tragedy, but its downfall can bring other hardships if the situation is not managed properly, without revenge and foreign interventions.
The Assad regime has been a source of hardship for the Syrian people for more than five decades. Evidence of its massacres, use of internationally prohibited weapons, horrific killing methods, and notorious prisons is emerging through eyewitness testimonies, footage from inside prisons, and state documents.
The regime had also been a source of instability in the region. Its interference in Lebanon’s affairs and its role in the assassinations of Lebanese leaders and elites- among them the late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri- have wreaked havoc on this beautiful country, which has always been a symbol of coexistence and culture. It also destabilized Iraq by facilitating the training and entry of jihadist terror groups after 2003. At a time when Iraq needed a helping hand, it offered a killing hand.
The collapse of this regime should be celebrated as a victory for freedom and justice. The Syrian people have taken the first step toward correcting severe injustices. However, despite the balanced statements from Joint Operations Commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, the current situation in the country is concerning. Indeed, armed factions that had branched out of al-Qaeda and ISIS control large parts of Syrian territory.
The last thing the Middle East needs today is a Jihadist resurgence. This region is not the vast expanse of Afghanistan. It has strong links with the rest of the world and is of greater strategic significance. The international community must act decisively, not only to confront the potential terrorist threat but also to help the Syrian people turn the page on despotism. To this end, we must help them achieve their aspirations through the formation of a democratic civic government that represents all the people of Syria- Sunnis, Alawites, Kurds, Christians, Druze, and others. A comprehensive civic governance framework is essential not only for Syria but also for peace in the region.
Syria’s future will have major implications for its people, but also for its neighbors. Lebanon desperately needs to restore its civic democratic state, as well as stability and peace, after years of difficult conflicts and wars.
At the same time, amid these major regional shifts, Iraq stands at a crossroads. Iraq must be mindful of what is happening in Syria and support our Syrian brothers and neighbors in their pursuit of security and stability. However, we cannot play this role if we do not address the structural problems of our governance system and reinforce domestic cohesion in the face of the threat of extremism and sectarian strife, which have already had disastrous consequences for Iraq.
The significance of our achievements since the overthrow of the despotic Baath regime in 2003 cannot be denied. These achievements include the adoption of the constitution, the peaceful transfer of power, and the current signs of reconstruction and economic growth. However, structural problems remain. The state suffers from structural deficiencies, corruption, and armed groups’ hold over the state and decisions. These problems pose an existential threat to the very survival of the Iraqi state.
Iraq must also redefine its relations with its neighbors. It must build sovereign state-to-state relations around mutual interests and noninterference in others’ affairs. Iraq should not be a base for any state seeking to undertake hostile actions against its neighbors. Allowing any foreign actor to dominate our national decision-making process undermines our sovereignty and fuels instability. Our sovereign state’s authority must be reinforced. Indeed, Iraq cannot enjoy stability so long as its sovereignty is undermined. As history has shown, Iraq is not an easy country for foreign powers to dominate!
The religious authority in Najaf's recent statement emphasizing the need to respect the state’s authority and its monopoly on arms, and to curb corruption, came at a historic juncture. We are accustomed to seeing this prudence that reflects genuine concern for Iraq’s interests from Najaf.
As we previously mentioned, there is an urgent need for intra-Iraqi dialogue to address the flaws in our governance system and develop a democratic civil political system founded on genuine partnership in ruling their country. This regime should reinforce the concept of a sovereign state, place weapons solely in the hands of the state, enable good governance, curb corruption, and deliver services.
Whether Iraq becomes a pivotal player in the Middle East depends on its ability to operate independently and foster peaceful relations with all its neighbors, including Arab states, Iran, and Türkiye. Enhancing sovereignty and political stability can turn Iraq into a bridge between Middle Eastern countries, as the country has the potential to become the cornerstone of a new regional system that encourages stability, economic integration, and cooperation rather than conflict.
Addressing the Kurdish question is also essential. The Kurds have been deprived of their political and cultural rights for decades; addressing these grievances and respecting Kurdish rights as an indigenous people must be prioritized. In Syria, Kurdish rights must be guaranteed in any political settlement that is reached, ensuring partnership and doing away with the discriminatory and exclusionary policies of Baathist rule. In Iraq, the relationship between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government must be reassessed to resolve the recurring disputes over resources, territories, governance, and authorities.
The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities. The Middle East stands at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine the region's trajectory for decades to come. Supporting the Syrian people in their struggle for democracy, helping Lebanon get back on its feet, and reforming the political system in Iraq are not just moral obligations, they are also strategic necessities.
This region has undergone cruel and devastating wars over the past few decades due to authoritarian regimes, violence, and repression. It was an era of declining states being overrun by armed groups that embroiled the region and its peoples in perilous misadventures.
It is time for this region to stabilize. Stability hinges on governance that derives its legitimacy from the people's consent, with states focusing on economic growth, development, youth employment, and the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Others were able to change course. We have seen this in Europe and Asia, and we in this region can also do the same. Otherwise, this generation and future generations will remain prisoners of petty conflicts as the world makes strides and grows.
This is our duty, as the leaders and peoples of these countries. However, in my view, the international community also has a role to play in supporting this effort to correct course and restore states, to help us build our future on democratic and civic values, peace, and coexistence, and to facilitate real reform in Iraq that ensures coexistence, not only at the national level but also regionally.
The international community must play a proactive role by providing diplomatic, economic, and security support to solidify the region's stability. Ultimately, however, the responsibility lies with the leaders and peoples of the region.
A Middle East grounded in cooperation and inclusivity is within reach- if there is the will to bring it about.
