SDF, Interim Govt agreement; Washington–Tehran talks dominate headlines

Arab newspapers published this morning highlighted the trajectory of the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Government in Syria, Israel’s hardline stance toward US–Iran negotiations, the decision of Israel’s Security Cabinet regarding the West Bank, as well as the ongoing paralysis of Iraq’s political crisis.

Will the integration of SDF into state institutions succeed or face obstacles?

Asharq Al-Awsat addressed the file of integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces with the Interim Government in Syria, questioning whether the agreement signed on January 30 under US and regional sponsorship can hold when transitioning from text to implementation.

The newspaper, citing analysts and researchers, said the scene is divided between two contrasting trends: one doubts the chances of success due to field and structural complexities, while the other believes that international and regional sponsorship, along with mutual interests between Damascus and the SDF, give the agreement a real chance of execution.

Meanwhile, other journalists and researchers stressed that implementation faces serious obstacles, most notably the issue of heavy weapons, external affiliations, and the accumulated crisis of trust, warning of a repeat of previous agreements that were never fully implemented.

Is Netanyahu rushing it?

For its part, Al-Khaleej wrote about the Israeli position on the course of the US–Iranian negotiations over the nuclear program, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not hide his unease regarding the talks. It viewed his urgent visit to Washington as aimed at pushing the US administration toward the option of military confrontation.

The newspaper added that Netanyahu seeks either to derail the negotiating track or expand it with conditions that Tel Aviv knows in advance Tehran will reject, ultimately leading to military escalation despite the grave threat this poses to regional security.

The most dangerous Israeli decision

Al-Bayan described the decision of Israel’s Security Cabinet regarding the West Bank as the most dangerous since the June 1967 war.

The paper indicated that the decision cancels recognition of all laws regulating property ownership in the West Bank and disregards international resolutions and the Oslo Accords, opening the door to full Israeli control over Palestinian territories and effectively undermining any hope of a two-state solution, in a move reflecting an extremely dangerous shift in Israeli policy.

Iraq and the stakes of lost time

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed addressed the continuing political deadlock in Iraq, affirming that it is no longer temporary but has become embedded in the structure of the political system since 2003.

The newspaper attributed the crisis to the failure of political forces to move beyond the sectarian quota system, conflicting interests among components, as well as US and Iranian external interference, warning that the current political system has reached its logical limits and that the Iraqi people or regional shifts may impose a new trajectory in the coming phase.

A-H

ANHA