Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, Dr. Abdullah Al-Shayji, said that there are many outstanding issues in Arab issues, so it is too early to celebrate what the Arab summit, which ended in Jeddah, carried out.
Al-Shayji added, in his interview with the “Beyond the News” program episode (19/5/2023), “I understand the overwhelming desire to receive the positive messages that the Arab Summit carried, and the need to look forward to a future free of disputes and conflicts, but this faces many obstacles that need to be overcome.” “.
This comes in conjunction with the conclusion of the 32nd edition of the Arab Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which included speeches by Arab presidents and leaders in which they touched on the reality of joint Arab action and the hot issues before it, and the participation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was recorded for the first time in its work after freezing Damascus’ membership since 2011. .
Al-Shayji considered that one of the most prominent things presented by the summit was to confirm the Saudi role as the main and pivotal player in the region, in addition to the words of the leaders that were optimistic and called for cooperation, close ranks and intensified efforts despite the files that are still pending.
He referred to the summit that dealt with the file of the Palestinian cause and the ongoing war in Sudan, in addition to the outstanding issues in Libya, as well as allowing the return of the Syrian regime without clear commitments on basic issues, including, for example, the relationship with the opposition and commitment to the outcomes of the various conferences held on the crisis.
An important shift
Al-Shayji also pointed out that the summit comes in light of an important shift in the Middle Eastern regional system and the fruits of the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement and efforts to reduce escalation and focus on the economy, investment and different Gulf visions, which means “moving from the stage of confrontation to calm,” as he put it.
The professor of political science asked about the road map for returning Syria to the Arab ranks, as there is no clear timetable regarding the commitments of the Syrian regime, stressing the need to strive to zero in on the various problems and crises in the Arab region.
In turn, the director of the “Arab Century” Center for Studies, Dr. Saad bin Omar, believes that the Arab summit in its current version seemed more compatible, and all delegations were keen in their words to escalate Arab solidarity and reject differences, with a conviction of the need to stop foreign interference in the Arab region.
“We are going through a period of tensions from external parties, led by the United States, Russia and China, all of which are in a frantic race to win the approval of the Middle East region, which gives ample opportunity for the independence of the Arab countries in their decisions,” Bin Omar added.
He pointed out that the Arab world “is dominant in its economies and its possession of energy,” and this pushes the superpowers to try to get closer to its countries, which is important to invest and exploit in a way that serves the interests of the Arab countries.
Regarding Syria’s return to the Arab League, Ben Omar stressed the need for emancipation from previous policies and the start of a new era, pointing out that the guarantees required from the Syrian regime are present by walking with it step by step, which he believes the head of the Syrian regime clearly understands.