Twenty-four hours prior to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s trip to Tehran, talks are set to commence in Moscow between Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam and Russian officials. It appears that Syria’s escalating actions regionally and internationally reflect a desire to influence international decision-making centers. This is achieved through two main objectives: establishing regional coordination capable of encircling the ongoing crisis and reducing the likelihood of war, as well as engaging in discussions with international capitals to explore potential strategies for averting an inevitable disaster in the event of a military strike against Iraq. In this context, a Russian diplomatic source in Damascus has stated that Khaddam will endeavor to discuss the current political efforts and ways to prevent war with Russian officials.
During an interview with Al-Jazeera, the source expressed Damascus’ keen interest in intensifying its efforts toward the permanent members of the Security Council. The aim is to secure international support that would deter the United States from embarking on any military operation against Iraq. The source emphasized that Russia’s stance rejects any form of military intervention without an international resolution, while simultaneously advocating for political solutions to the current crisis with Iraq. It was emphasized that Damascus is striving to counter military escalation by intensifying political actions. This is because the matter at hand is not solely related to achieving an international balance that could prompt the Security Council to make a decision regarding the Iraqi issue. It is also linked to global peace since any potential war would unfold in a highly sensitive and intricate region, thereby exacerbating tensions, especially in the absence of a complete international consensus on this matter.
Addressing Syrian concerns over the prospect of war, the source highlighted that the issue extends beyond mere fear or anxiety. There exists a realistic situation on the ground that carries significant risks for the Middle East and the world as a whole. The source underscored the need for utmost caution in handling the matter of war, given the geostrategic geography of the region. According to the same source, Syria views the war as a strategic violation of the region, not only in terms of setting a precedent by overthrowing a political system but also in terms of reshaping the balance of power in a manner that grants Israel a unique position and enables it to exert control over the regional equilibrium.
The source drew a connection between the Syrian president’s visit to Tehran and the upcoming talks to be held by Khaddam in Moscow. It was emphasized that preventing war necessitates simultaneous regional and international coordination. Iran, Turkey, and Syria are the countries most affected by a potential war. The issue at hand transcends mere economic concerns; rather, it pertains to the profound imbalance that such a war would impose on the regional map. The source further explained that Iraq is an area characterized by historical population overlaps, thus any crisis in Iraq directly impacts neighboring countries. This also clarifies Syria’s interest in engaging in dialogue with the Iraqi opposition.
The source stressed that Syria is acting swiftly ahead of the 27th of this month, which marks the submission of the inspection committee’s report to the Security Council. Indicators suggest that military action is progressing regardless of inspections. Consequently, it is imperative to encircle this development through diplomatic initiatives that can diminish the likelihood of war after the inspectors’ report is presented to the Security Council.