TEHRAN(Bazaar) –When Syria resumes its position among the Arab League, a new beginning of Middle East marketplace can begin. Syria will benefit by opening up its export market to the Arab world, and also be able to import products and services from its Arab League partners, Steven Sahiounie, a Syrian-American journalist and political commentator said.
Sahiounie is an award-winning journalist, and chief editor of MidEastDiscourse. He has appeared on RT, PressTV, Syrian News, as well as international TV and radio programs. As a Syrian-American journalist and political commentator, he is often sought out concerning currents events facing Syria and the region.
Following is the text of the interview:
Bazaar: The Saudi Foreign Minister will go to Damascus in the coming weeks to present an invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to attend the summit that is scheduled to be held on May 19 in Riyadh.The presence of Bashar al-Assad in this meeting can officially end the isolation of Syria. What is your opinion about this in the current crisis in the world? Considering the close relations between Saudi Arabia and America, will the sanctions be lifted from Syria?
Sahiounie: The invitation from Saudi Arabia to President Bashar al Assad to attend the Arab League Summit is a turning point in the current situation in the Middle East. It demonstrates that the Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman is taking a new position on Syria, divergent from the US position of isolation. He is being bold and creative with his leadership and willing to show independent leadership. Gone are the days of simply following what Washington, DC. dictates.
The sanctions on Syria will be lifted at some point, and the Arab world will have an influence on that decision, but it will likely take time because the US Congress is involved.
Bazaar: Riyadh intends to hold it successfully with the presence of all Arab countries and not boycott any Arab country in the meeting of Arab leaders, while the communication and contact between Riyadh and Damascus started some time ago. How effective is the presence of Syria in this meeting in the development of relations with Saudi Arabia?
Sahiounie: The recovery and rehabilitation of Syria cannot be achieved without the help of Saudi Arabia. For several years there has been talk of bringing Syria back into the fold of Arab nations. Now the time has come, and it was a long time in coming. Several Arab countries were involved in supporting the US-NATO attack on Syria for regime change. Kuwait and Qatar are left alone in the anti-Syria camp, but that only shows their connection to the Muslim Brotherhood ideology, and its support from the US beginning in 2011. Now that the majority of the Arab countries have recognized the Muslim Brotherhood as a source of death, destruction and division, the Arab world can unite in peace and constructive dialog.
Bazaar: Saudi Arabia plans to invite Iran and Turkey as guests in the meeting of the heads of Arab countries, and this meeting is supposed to be held before the meeting of the Arab countries and Iran in Beijing. According to the recent agreement between Iran and Saudi , what is the purpose of Saudi Arabia's presence in Iran and solving regional problems?
Sahiounie: Saudi Arabia and Iran are both regional powerhouses in the Middle East. They share geography, history and Islam. They can be together, a powerful force for peace and prosperity for the region. Their new found common ground, brokered by China, is remarkable. The US has sought to keep the two countries in chaos and differences. The leadership of both countries may have realized that working together in harmony they can achieve goals to make both nations safer, stronger and more successful. By eliminating the US influence in policy towards each other, they have stepped forward independently and their own interest.
Bazaar: What are the economic consequences of Syria's return to the Arab League in relations with some countries, including Iran, considering the measures Iran has taken in Syria for reconstruction?
Sahiounie: When Syria resumes its position among the Arab League, a new beginning of Middle East marketplace can begin. Syria will benefit by opening up its export market to the Arab world, and also be able to import products and services from its Arab League partners. The US-EU sanctions have prohibited Syria from importing many necessary products, even medicines and medical equipment replacement parts. Reconstruction in Syria may take decades, and certainly needs large amounts of money for financing. Syria will benefit from the Arab world financing reconstruction and new projects in Syria.
Bazaar: What is the position of the Arab countries regarding the return of this influential member of the anti-Zionist resistance front to the Arab League and the normalization of relations with Syria? Why is Doha opposed to this return and has a position in rejecting the restoration of relations with Damascus?
Sahiounie: In my opinion, the Arab world is still anti-Zionist. They all still want to see the rights of Palestinians restored. They want an end to the apartheid policies in the state of Israel. Some Arab countries have a normalization pact with Israel, but they view that as an economic and security pact.
Qatar is still following the Muslim Brotherhood political ideology. This is what is holding them back from accepting Syria back into the Arab League. The Muslim Brotherhood devastated Libya, Egypt, Syria and caused chaos in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia. Even Jordan has suffered from the ideology.
Turkey has started to move away from the extremists, and Qatar should begin to follow the lead of others. This may take time for Qatar to find a middle path. It was the US President Obama who promoted the Muslim Brotherhood to its position as a political ideology which fueled the Arab Spring, which was a US-NATO attack on Arab nations for regime change fulfilling the US policy on creating a New Middle East. In fact, there is a New Middle East emerging right now, and it is headed by Iran and Saudi Arabia in peace and harmony, as they reject the old dirty tricks used by America to divide and conquer.
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