Panorama of Week: Syria’s belief rights under attack, federalism touted as answer

Arab newspapers published last week addressed the ongoing violations in Syrian regions, the outcomes of the recent war between Israel and Iran, and the resolution of the Kurdish issue.

Destruction of the "Martyrs' Statue" in Central Aleppo Sparks Controversy Over the Authority’s Hardline Approach

In Syrian affairs, the demolition of the statue in Saadallah Al-Jabiri Square sparked widespread debate among Syrians, with condemnation and ridicule of the transitional government’s justifications for the incident. Many activists expressed anger over the idea of relocating the statue, which holds significant symbolic value for the city’s residents, while others claimed the destruction was deliberate, contrary to statements from the Aleppo Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.

Raising the HTS Flag Alongside the New Syrian Flag Raises Concerns About the Country’s Future

The Arabic edition of *The Independent* highlighted the anger and controversy sparked by raising the flag of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alongside Syria’s independence flag, describing it as a move that provoked widespread objection in the Syrian street, not only on political but also symbolic grounds.

Outcome of the First Phase in Shaping a New Middle East

The newspaper *Al-Khaleej* wrote about the 12-day war between Israel and Iran and its perspective on the reality of the Arab world. The paper noted that the war left clear marks on the state of both countries and the regional system. Some of these marks were created by a superpower grappling with reasons for its decline, refusing to slow down or fade, and by key actors—namely Iran and Israel—as well as the silence or absence of some of the most significant players in the Arab system.

The newspaper added, “The most critical aspect of the international and regional situation in light of the war, its events, and its aftermath is the escalating dangers resulting from the continued decline in America’s overall power, coupled with a president with unconventional traits in managing crises and wars.” It further noted that Western commentary has settled on Israel emerging defeated from this war. Interestingly, on the eve of announcing a new Middle East, most Arab media deliberately avoided emphasizing this reality in Arab consciousness.

The Kurdish Issue and the Equations of War and Peace in the Middle East

The Middle East newspaper shed light on the complexities of the Kurdish issue due to its intersection with what it called “issues of national sovereignty, identity, counter-terrorism, and regional and international geopolitical interests.” It viewed the Kurdish issue as one of the most complex political files in the Middle East because it intersects with highly sensitive internal and external dynamics.

The newspaper argued, “The realistic and interim solution is to adopt a federal or confederal model that grants Kurds in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran broad cultural, political, and economic rights without compromising the unity of existing states. This framework could ensure internal stability, reduce separatist tendencies, and respect the national specificity of the Kurds. Delaying recognition of these rights does not negate their existence, and stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved by ignoring the issue of an entire people. Instead, it requires a just settlement based on principles of justice and human rights, not merely on the balance of power.”

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