Italy’s Normalization with Assad’s Regime: Any Lessons from Arabs’ Experience?

Italy has recently adopted a unilateral diplomatic approach to normalize its relations with the Assad regime, disregarding the EU’s unified policy and Western sanctions. This move is intended to urge the EU to reevaluate the situation in Syria, while also appeasing the populist right-wing in Italy and Europe in general. Additionally, Italy –optimistically- aims to the repatriation of Syrian refugees. However, the recent Arab experience with the Assad regime demonstrates a lack of commitment to meeting their demands through the “step-for-step” approach. This approach is primarily driven by geopolitical and security considerations that directly impact the Arab states’ security, such as diminishing Iran’s influence in Syria, combating illicit drug networks, and creating conditions for the safe repatriation of refugees. The regime’s refusal to address these demands or offer tangible solutions heightens concerns of an “unconditional normalization,” allowing Assad’s regime to achieve gains without making concessions to resolve the longstanding issues from the 13-year conflict. This underscores the necessity for the EU, to maintain a unified stance and apply collective pressure to achieve tangible outcomes, rather than pursuing unilateral paths that may result in fragile and precarious solutions.

Read the full article on the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace website, Click Here.