Is Iran Losing an Ally?

AP Photo Bassem/Tellawi

It’s been a long time coming, but the United States has officially nominated an ambassador to Damascus. After deliberating for nearly a year, the position has been designated to the Mideast expert and former envoy to Algeria, Robert Ford. The appointment comes exactly five years after the U.S. withdrew its ambassador from Syria in response to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri—an assassination which was widely attributed to the Syrian regime. Since then, the United States has only communicated with Syria via Saudi interlocutors.

The reengagement was prolonged since it hinged on strict adherence to U.S. demands. Syria not only had to assist in controlling cross-border militant traffic into Iraq and undermining Hezbollah and Hamas, but also had to publicly distance itself from its Iranian allies.

In exchange, Syria insisted upon Western and regional recognition of Syrian dominance in Lebanon as well as the repeal of sanctions and the facilitation of negotiations with Israel. Indeed, according to a STRATFOR source, Syria has proposed that Syrian and Israeli negotiators meet face to face in a European location. While Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently declared his country’s interest in a peace agreement with Syria, Israel will not move until Syria commits to close overland routes for Hezbollah armaments as well as zero preconditions. In addition, Israel has echoed the U.S. demands for Syrian cooperation over Iraq and Iran.

Ultimately, despite the slow progression, the U.S. appointment of an ambassador to Damascus is a clear sign that the American-Syrian—and perhaps even Israeli-Syrian—relations are improving. Admittedly, Syria is careful to reassure Iran with each diplomatic step it takes toward the West, but there are ample reasons for Iran to be concerned.

-Ellesse Sorbonne