Arab League votes to reinstate Syria’s membership after 12-year suspension
PBS NewsHourMAY 2023
The development that the Arab League is now rolling out the red carpet for the Syrian regime — that bloodily crushed pro-democracy protests in 2011 and sparked a vicious civil war — is deeply disappointing and ultimately only strengthens Assad and his allies. Washington will continue to advocate for Syrians' humanitarian relief and security and remains steadfast in its belief that there can be no rapprochement with Syria without credible progress toward a political settlement to the conflict.
Syria's readmission to the Arab League was a long overdue step, and it underscores recent efforts by regional powers to pursue their own policies — independent of the US — to build peace and stability. Syria's reintegration into the Arab community, rather than its exclusion as demanded by Washington, is the surest and most effective way to overcome the Syrian crisis and humanitarian hardship. The US failure in Syria is a victory for peace.