Does Syria’s Road Back to the Arab Family Go Through the UAE?

... with the UAE, despite years of hostility and the UAE’s support of the Syrian opposition, can be attributed to several key factors. For official Damascus, a successful détente with the UAE is viewed as a means to overcome Syria’s isolation in the Arab world, which could eventually help restore its membership in the Arab League and be reintegrated into the Arab family. The UAE also serves as an intermediary for Damascus’s communication with other GCC states (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Qatar) and the West. It is also worth noting that the Syrian government views the UAE as a potential counterbalance to excessive Iranian influence in Syria. Cooperation with the Emirates is also beneficial for economic reasons,...