In brief
In the wake of Bashar al-Assad's unexpected ousting, Tehran's influence in Syria wanes, paving the way for Gulf States to establish connections with the new regime in Damascus. However, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are proceeding with caution due to fears over the growing Islamist leanings of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant rebel group that has taken control in many regions of Syria. The Gulf nations, having fought against the rise of political Islamist movements in the Middle East for the last twenty years, are demanding that the new Syrian leadership showcases inclusiveness towards the nation’s various sects if they seek political and financial backing. Anwar Gargash, a key Emirati diplomat, highlighted concerns over the rebellion’s historical ties to Al Qaeda before any further engagement is approved.
