Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, told international powers that they have transformed into a technocratic force focused on accommodating all Syrians rather than adhering to previous extremist ideologies. This marks a significant shift as HTS seeks legitimacy in the eyes of both the Western and Gulf states, which have been hesitant to engage without reassurances about the future government structure in Syria.
Annalena Baerbock, Germany's foreign minister emphasized that support for Syria must be contingent on women's rights and the nature of governing structures. She made it clear that Berlin would not finance a Syrian government led by Islamist factions, underlining the important role that gender equality and democratic values will play in international considerations regarding sanctions and aid.
Rahaf Aldoughli, a Syrian specialist, pointed out the pervasive distrust of the UN within Syrian civil society. Many groups are hesitant to involve the UN in their efforts to rebuild and advocate for rights due to a longstanding sense of betrayal after perceived failures throughout the years of conflict, which has left a deep and lasting impact on their willingness to seek help.
Syria's transition could potentially hinge on a blend of incentives and pressures from Europe and the US, as they gather to discuss the future of sanctions. However, the resistance to UN-led initiatives remains strong, as many are reluctant to accept guidance from an entity perceived to have failed in its responsibilities, complicating the path toward diplomatic progress in the war-torn nation.
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