Syrian president Bashar Assad, wiht his stubborn refusal to compromise, has squandered numerous opportunities to bolster his position both domestically and internationally. He rejected offers that could have earned him international recognition and desperately needed economic relief, according to The washington Post.
Even Russia, Assad’s staunch ally, made considerable efforts to broker a peaceful settlement in Syria that would garner Western acceptance.
However, Assad was unwilling to budge when it came to his absolute authority.
In the weeks leading up to the rebel offensive, Assad spurned several proposals from world powers that could have secured his rule, said Bassem Barabandi, a former Syrian diplomat who fled the country in the early days of the uprising.
one such proposal, Barabandi revealed,came from the United States,facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. It offered the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Assad’s regime in exchange for severing the supply routes used by Lebanon’s Hezbollah to transport weapons from Iran through Syria.
Perhaps even more damaging to his power was Assad’s dismissal of an olive branch extended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan sought to normalize relations with Damascus in exchange for Assad’s cooperation in keeping Kurdish forces away from Turkey’s border, initiating a dialog with the Syrian opposition, and accepting the return of some of the millions of Syrian refugees currently in Turkey.
Ankara has long supported factions within the Syrian opposition and likely tacitly approved their offensive as a consequence of Assad’s rejection, Erdogan hinted last Friday.
“We called on Assad. We said, ‘Let us define together the future of Syria’,” Erdogan stated hours before the rebels seized Damascus. “We did not recieve a positive response,” the Turkish leader added. on Sunday,Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that Turkey’s efforts had been unsuccessful.
“We knew what would happen,” Fidan lamented.
This data was corroborated by Israel’s Times of Israel, which reported that Ankara had recently attempted to reconcile with Assad to mitigate the threat posed by Kurdish armed groups to Turkey and ensure the safe repatriation of refugees, but Assad rebuffed the Turkish offer.
In recent weeks, Assad seemed to have ignored the rapidly shifting regional landscape as the Israeli army dealt blows to Hezbollah, which had previously provided thousands of fighters to defend the Syrian government during the height of the civil war. Some of Assad’s advisors reportedly urged him to accept the U.S. proposal to sever ties with Iran in exchange for sanctions relief, but Barabandi said Assad remained convinced he could secure a better deal onc Donald Trump was inaugurated as the new U.S. president.
How might Assad’s missteps influence teh future of international relations in the Middle East?
Interview with Bassem Barabandi: Unpacking Bashar Assad‘s Missteps in Syria
Editor, Time.news: Today we have a special guest, Bassem Barabandi, a former Syrian diplomat who has firsthand insight into Syria’s ongoing crisis. We’re here to discuss President Bashar Assad’s stubbornness and how his refusal to compromise has impacted Syria’s future.Welcome, Mr. Barabandi.
Bassem Barabandi: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor, Time.news: Let’s dive right in. The Washington Post reported that Assad has squandered multiple opportunities for international recognition and economic relief due to his refusal to negotiate. Why do you think he remains so unwilling to compromise?
Bassem barabandi: Assad’s administration is built on an absolute authority that he refuses to relinquish. For him, any form of compromise is perceived as a sign of weakness, not just for his regime, but also for his political identity. He believes that maintaining his grip on power means keeping a hard line against any external negotiations.
Editor, Time.news: You mentioned in previous interviews that even Russia has tried to help broker a peace agreement for Assad’s benefit.What do you think this says about his relations with his allies?
Bassem Barabandi: It shows a meaningful shift in the dynamics of power. Traditionally, Russia has been Assad’s strongest ally, but even they see the necessity for some level of moderation. This suggests that they are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of his regime without broader international acceptance.Assad’s refusal to entertain these discussions leaves not only his own government isolated but also strains the trust and support from allies.
Editor, Time.news: The article highlighted a particular proposal from the U.S., facilitated by the UAE, that offered sanctions relief in exchange for Assad curtailing Hezbollah’s operations. Why do you think he turned this down?
Bassem Barabandi: Assad is shortsightedly optimistic that he can negotiate a better deal, notably his hopes were pinned on Donald Trump’s potential presidency. This aligns with his pattern of behavior—waiting for a more favorable outcome instead of seizing opportunities available to him now. However, this unwillingness has led to increased isolation and pressing threats to his regime.
Editor, Time.news: Furthermore, Assad rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip erdogan’s attempts to normalize relations. What implications does this have for regional stability?
Bassem Barabandi: By rejecting Erdogan’s olive branch, Assad risks escalating tensions not only with Turkey but also could provoke an even greater Kurdish presence along the border.Erdogan has historically supported the Syrian opposition, and Assad’s spurning of negotiations might lead to a stronger collaboration between Turkey and Syrian opposition forces, resulting in increased instability in the region.
editor, Time.news: Looking ahead, what advice would you offer to international policymakers regarding the situation in Syria?
Bassem Barabandi: It’s crucial for international stakeholders to adopt a proactive strategy rather of reactive measures. They should prioritize creating spaces for dialog, engage with regional powers for mediation, and push Assad toward concessions. History shows that prolonged isolation often leads to escalation of conflicts, while inclusive dialogues could lead to potential resolutions.
Editor, Time.news: Thank you, Bassem, for yoru insights into the complexities of the Syrian crisis. Your perspective helps clarify how Assad’s decisions—and indeed his missteps—shape the ongoing conflict and its implications for the region.
Bassem Barabandi: Thank you for highlighting these critical issues. It has been a pleasure discussing them with you.
Editor, Time.news: We appreciate your time and look forward to your continued insights on this evolving situation.
Keywords: Bashar Assad, Syrian conflict, international relations, Turkey, Hezbollah, economic relief, regional stability, U.S.sanctions, Bassem Barabandi