Handshake Diplomacy? What The West Can Do For Syria’s Imperfect Transition

-Analysis-

PARIS– For nearly a month, the Syrian transition has presented the West with a dilemma. Should they keep their distance from the country’s new rulers because they don’t meet Western expectations? Or should they actively support them for the sake of stability in an increasingly volatile region?

The question was on full display last Friday with the visit to Damascus by French and German foreign ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot and Annelena Baerbock respectively. Upon their arrival, the leader of the Syrian transition, Ahmed al-Sharaa, shook hands with the French minister, a man, but did not offer his hand to his female German counterpart. Without much delay, certain commentators argued that Sharaa’s gesture — in line with his pious Islamic beliefs — should have become a diplomatic issue.

The person directly involved downplayed the incident: “When I came here, it was clear to me that there would obviously not be any ordinary handshakes,” Baerbock told the German press.

Jean-Noël Barrot, for his part, stated to our French colleagues at RTL: “Would I have preferred that Sharaa shake my German colleague’s hand? The answer is yes. Was that the purpose of this visit? The answer is no.” End of quote. This is common sense, and the debate should end there.

Afghanistan parallel

A superficial reading draws a parallel with Afghanistan, where, after an absurd debate about “moderate Taliban,” the fate of women was sealed: they disappeared from social life. This is called “gender apartheid.”

Does the same situation threaten Syria? The new leaders have given positive signals. Women have been appointed to significant positions, such as governor of the Central Bank of Syria and governor of a province. Syrian civil society is also very active in defending women’s rights, religious pluralism and the demand for justice.

While Sharaa renounced jihadism, he has hardly become a Scandinavian social democrat.

However, there are also contrary signals: a reform of school curricula with a religious focus was introduced, though some aspects were quickly withdrawn under criticism. Additionally, the new Minister of Justice, Shadi al-Waisi, is under scrutiny due to a 2015 video showing him at the scene of an extrajudicial execution of a woman. This was during the time when the current leaders were jihadists affiliated with al-Qaeda.

The Westerners know all of this; they know that while Sharaa renounced jihadism several years ago, he has hardly become a Scandinavian social democrat. He now makes reassuring statements, but there are many precedents of authoritarian Islamist shifts over time.

Feeling it in Paris

For Europeans, in particular, there is a major issue: the stability of a country that has experienced the caliphate of ISIS and its terrorist repercussions all the way to the heart of Paris.

This threat has not completely disappeared and would resurface if Syria were to descend into further chaos. Not to mention the French women and children still held by the Kurds in northeastern Syria for having joined ISIS, who would be at risk in the event of chaos.

Europe has a vital interest in helping the transition leadership succeed, even if it is not perfect. This involves, in particular, lifting the sanctions imposed on Syria during the reign of Bashar al-Assad, which are no longer justified. We can also offer expertise where necessary.

In short, the West should offer encouragement rather than point out everything that isn’t exactly as we’d want it to be — so long as the transition continues to evolve in the right direction.