Al Majalla will examine the Arab and Western roles in the Syrian conflict in their entirety including related gambles, failures, successes, as well as future challenges.
The Arab League's decision to readmit Syria to the Arab League and its institutions after more than a decade of suspension and President Bashar al-Assad's attendance at the Arab summit in Jeddah on 19 May are significant steps that mark a turning point in the relationship with Damascus.
While this doesn't signal a complete end to the crisis, it constitutes an important juncture. After being sidelined for a decade and its people largely forgotten, Syria is now back in focus.
While the readmission of Syria into the Arab League doesn't signal a complete end to the crisis, it constitutes an important juncture. After being sidelined for a decade and its people largely forgotten, Syria is now back in focus.
Amid Syria's return, we are reminded of its people's ambitions and aspirations, as well as their wounds and sorrows. Al Majalla takes note of the apprehension of the Arab world toward Syria, as well as the Syrian people of their own government.
The sheer significance of these recent developments has warranted Al Majalla to dedicate its cover story to the Syrian issue for its June edition.
This month also commemorates several significant events related to Syria, including the "June Naksa (setback)" on 5 June 1967, when Israel occupied the Syrian Golan Heights, and the death of President Hafez al-Assad on 19 June 2000, which marked the transfer of power to his son Bashar 23 years ago.
Al Majalla will examine the Arab and Western roles in the Syrian conflict in their entirety including related gambles, failures, successes, as well as future challenges.
It is essential to delve into three specific issues.
First: The story of the famous "red line" drawn by former US President Barack Obama, followed by his retreat from the threat of military intervention after the chemical attack in 2013.
Second: The rise and decline of the Islamic State (IS) in the subsequent year, its territorial expansion along the Syrian borders with neighbouring countries, and the lingering risks it poses.
Third: The Turkish role, beginning with the "map" presented to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by former Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in the summer of 2011 which resulted in Turkey's military presence in northern Syria. More recently, we look at the attempts at rapprochement between al-Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who emerged victorious in his country's recent elections.
Read more: Erdogan's victory and Syria's divisions
While examining the past, Al Majalla also takes a look at the future and the potential repercussions of the recent normalisation with Syria. Here we first focus on the return of refugees from neighbouring countries. While their presence has become burdensome for host nations, their repatriation raises even greater concerns.
While examining the past, Al Majalla also takes a look at the future and the potential repercussions of the recent normalisation with Syria. Here we first focus on the return of refugees from neighbouring countries. While their presence has become burdensome for host nations, their repatriation raises even greater concerns.
Secondly, we will examine the alarming issue of Captagon, a critical and unsettling topic that has become a priority for countries both near and far.
Thirdly, we will explore the unity of Syria and the fate of foreign forces in the northeast, northwest, and other regions under external influence.
Fourthly, we will analyse how US and European sanctions hinder Arab normalisation, whose impact will remain primarily political and symbolic if they do not have economic leverage. Lastly, we will outline the costs of destruction, the challenges of reconstruction, and the availability of resources within Syria and the Arab world.
Read more: Syrian reconstruction will only come from Syrian realism
These are only some of the questions of a very complex and sensitive situation. The fundamental question revolves around a political solution and the future of UN Resolution 2254.
I raised these concerns during my meeting with UN envoy Geir Pedersen at his office in Geneva. Among the ideas he highlighted was the importance of closely monitoring three tracks: the new Arab initiative, the Moscow track involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, and the European and American efforts.
He emphasised that this presents an opportunity that should not be missed, as was the case with previous initiatives. He added that a potential key to the solution might lie in implementing a "step-for-step" approach, beginning with confidence-building measures and culminating in a solution that is amenable to the Syrian people while aligning with the interests of external actors.
In addition, with the resurgence of the Arab role, we will also publish a historical review of the "Saudi option" among the founding figures of Syrian independence in the early 20th century.
The challenges associated with Syria's reintegration into the Arab community — as extensive and severe as they may be — are not the only areas Al Majalla will address. It also delves into other global hotspots.
As the anniversary of the abrupt US withdrawal from Afghanistan approaches, I interviewed Ahmad Massoud, son and successor of prominent leader Ahmad Shah Massoud.
He places blame on the countries that abandoned their support for his faction, warning that the Taliban is leveraging "terrorist organisations" to blackmail the West. He hopes the "voice of reason" will be heeded before it is too late.
In the June issue, we also take a look at next year's elections in the UK where the Labour Party is pegged to win against the Conservative Party. This presents an opportunity to profile the potential next Labour prime minister, Keir Starmer, while also highlighting Morocco's initiative to "illuminate" Britain through the water.
In the culture section, we feature notable figures. We interview Sawsan Al Bahiti, the first Saudi opera singer, who shares her story and why she thinks opera is a vital element of the "Saudi modernisation project."
In the culture section, we feature notable figures. We interview Sawsan Al Bahiti, the first Saudi opera singer, who shares her story and why she thinks opera is a vital element of the "Saudi modernisation project."
Additionally, we delve into the rich history of the city of Tripoli in the 'Lebanese Wandering,' explore the Moroccan novel scene, and draw inspiration from international literature. We also delve into the concerns of Mexican writer Juan Villoro regarding the "turmoil" of history and its impact on the novel.
Finally, on the last page, Muhammad al-Dairi shares his reflections on his "humanitarian" experience at the United Nations compared to his "political" experience as Libya's foreign minister during tumultuous years.
