This year’s Arab League summit stood out in years past, marked by remarkable attendance and surprising diplomacy. For the first time in years, a rehabilitated Syrian leadership appeared among the gathering, and the event welcomed a high-profile guest after a long period of isolation. Ukraine’s president visited Saudi Arabia on a mission to engage Arab leaders, many of whom had stayed neutral in the conflict involving Russia and showed deep ties to Moscow. At the meeting, participants weighed the situation in Syria, the ongoing Sudan crisis, and Saudi Arabia’s evolving role on the regional diplomatic stage.
These developments reflect a nuanced dynamic between two power centers that have long opposed one another in regional politics. Russia’s intervention in Syria helped keep Assad in power, while Saudi Arabia, under Mohammed bin Salman, has been seeking a broader regional role and has pursued rapprochement with Iran. Known popularly as MBS, he has steered a diplomatic path that seeks greater regional influence and a strategic reorientation away from traditional dependencies, signaling a shift in how Arab states engage with major regional actors. On the eve of the summit, Syrian authorities greeted the returning leader with formal ceremonies and cordial gestures as the 22-member gathering convened in Jeddah—an important port city in Saudi Arabia.
Historical Opportunity
In the presence of leaders who once rejected him, Assad framed the summit as a rare chance to address regional crises. He spoke of a hopeful turn, describing the gathering as a new phase of Arab action aimed at solidarity, peace, development, and prosperity rather than conflict and destruction. Yet the event occurred against a backdrop of protest in rebel-held areas of northern Syria, where hundreds voiced opposition to Assad’s participation and the legitimacy of the talks.
Some observers noted a stark display of intimacy between regional leaders, as public moments included gestures of welcome that underscored the shifting alliances shaping the Arab world. Commentary from attendees reflected a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism about whether regional diplomacy could translate into tangible changes on the ground. This moment was captured and discussed widely, with observers pointing to the broader implications for regional cooperation and the potential redefinition of alliances in the Middle East.
This is a moment many feel should prompt a focus on peaceful, internal governance by citizens within their own nations, allowing people to manage their affairs with greater agency. Assad acknowledged the heavy reliance on partnerships with Moscow and Tehran as a practical factor in rejoining the regional framework, highlighting how external power dynamics continue to influence internal trajectories. The summit took place after the red-carpet arrival in Jeddah, underscoring the event’s international significance and Saudi leadership in orchestrating a new regional dialogue. The host nation has historically supported various opposition movements, including those that once aimed to remove Assad, yet the current posture signals a broader, more inclusive approach to regional diplomacy. In this light, Assad’s participation was greeted with formal honors that emphasized the evolving nature of engagement among Arab states.
Authoritarian Leadership and Regional Shifts
The gathering underscored how several Arab states are recalibrating their stances, balancing Western criticism with pragmatic diplomacy. The United States has voiced concerns about Assad’s rehabilitation and his return to the Arab League, but the shifting mood among Arab governments suggests a pragmatic assessment of regional stability and economy over singular ideological alignment. Some voices within the region argued that the Arab League should focus on the needs and freedoms of people across the member states, while others warned about the risks tied to accepting regimes with long histories of suppression. Analysts and advocacy groups have voiced mixed reactions about the implications for human rights and democratic norms, noting that the path forward will require continued scrutiny and accountability.
On this historic day, Assad was welcomed by other leaders who exercise strong control over their populations. The Egyptian president attended the gathering, along with Palestinian, Bahraini, Lebanese, and Tunisian officials, among others, signaling a broad, if imperfect, consensus on restarting dialogue. The discussions touched on stabilizing the region, reducing the flow of refugees to other territories, and addressing illicit networks that have destabilized neighboring areas. The tone of the summit suggested a deliberate move toward practical diplomacy, even as questions about governance and civil liberties remained in the foreground for many observers. The dialogue highlighted how national interests often drive engagement, with each leader weighing security, economic priorities, and regional influence as they participate in a shared, albeit fragile, attempt to reshape the Arab world’s future.