Duality of International Standards in Syria between Political Interests and Disregard of Justice
Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, the duality in the policies of international and regional powers has emerged as one of the most significant factors complicating the Syrian scene and prolonging the conflict. While slogans of democracy and human rights are raised at the rhetorical level, the actual policies on the ground reflect stark contradictions between what is proclaimed and what is practiced. This contradiction is clearly manifested in the post-fall period of the Syrian regime, where countries compete for influence in the new Syria, entrenching a state of duality and confirming the absence of genuine will to achieve comprehensive and just peace.
The suffering of the Kurds in Syria persists amidst marginalization and sacrifices. The Kurds have played a pivotal role in the Syrian scene since the crisis erupted in 2011, especially through the Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria, which has formed a unique model of local governance. Despite their significant sacrifices, particularly in fighting ISIS, the rights of the Kurds remain at risk of being marginalized in the new Syria. Additionally, there is the ongoing Turkish threat to their political and social gains, which calls for a new international approach that ensures justice and prevents the repetition of monopolization of power.
The rights of the Kurds have a history of marginalization and denial, as they have suffered from political, cultural, and economic marginalization for decades. They have been denied the exercise of their basic rights, such as using their language and learning it or preserving their national identity. With the onset of the Syrian revolution, the Kurds emerged as an active political and social force by establishing Autonomous Administration that represents their aspiration for recognition of their rights as an integral component of Syrian society.
Nevertheless, the lack of international and regional recognition of the Autonomous Administration keeps the Kurds in a state of distrust, as the international community continues to view their issue from a purely security perspective, ignoring their historical and political rights.
The Turkish role: Strategic winner or opportunistic party?
With the fall of the Syrian regime, Turkey was able to position itself at the center of political and diplomatic influence, benefiting from its strong relations with Syrian opposition forces and presenting itself as a bridge of communication between the new transitional government and the international community. However, this Turkish role is not without opportunism, especially in light of its occupation of vast areas of northern Syria under the pretext of combating terrorism, as well as its ongoing threats to the Autonomous Administration.
Turkey was not just a supportive party to the opposition, but exploited the crisis to achieve strategic gains, starting from expanding its regional influence, moving on to achieving its security objectives related to the Kurdish component, and ultimately enhancing its status as an influential power at the international negotiation table.
The unconditional support that Ankara receives from its allies, led by the United States, reveals the extent of the duplicity in dealing with the Syrian issue; major powers turn a blind eye to Turkey’s violations in exchange for preserving their interests with it.
Autonomous Administration Between International Marginalization and Coalition Pressures:
Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria is considered one of the most prominent parties that has suffered from the dual standards of the international community; while the international coalition praised its role in the war against ISIS, this support has not translated into political recognition or guarantees to protect its gains. The previous statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, wherein he flattered Turkey and spoke about pulling some American troops from certain strategic areas, have complicated the position of the Autonomous Administration and placed it under dual pressure, facing direct threats from Turkey on one side and international neglect of its demands for political recognition on the other.
This contradiction between the praise for the Kurdish role in fighting terrorism and the neglect of their political and historical rights reflects the duality of the international system that exploits Kurdish sacrifices to achieve short-term goals without adhering to principles of justice or long-term stability.
Despite international statements about the necessity of achieving transitional justice and building a political system that includes all Syrian components, reality proves otherwise; Western support for Turkey during its violations in northern Syria, as well as the near-total neglect of the issues of the displacement of Kurdish and Arab populations from their areas, reveals a significant gap between international human rights rhetoric and political practices.
Furthermore, the international treatment of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib reflects another duality; where there is tolerance for its presence as a de facto reality on the ground, while it is internationally considered a terrorist organization; this contradiction indicates that political interests always outweigh declared values and principles.
Implications for the Future of Syria
These dual policies contribute to entrenching internal divisions in Syria and enhancing distrust between different components. Moreover, the continued adherence of international powers to these dual standards makes it difficult to achieve comprehensive political transition or build a democratic system that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people across all components; stability in Syria cannot be achieved without a serious international approach based on respecting human rights and ensuring genuine participation of all Syrian parties, including the Kurds, who played a crucial role in combating terrorism.
Autonomous Administration as a Model Despite Challenges
The Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria represents a democratic model aimed at achieving social justice and equality among different components; it has succeeded in building a political structure that includes Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrians, and has sought to achieve a fair distribution of resources. However, the lack of international recognition of this model weakens the position of Autonomous Administration and makes it susceptible to internal and external threats.
At the internal level, the danger of a return to centralized authority in Damascus looms large, as it seeks to regain complete control over the country without providing real guarantees for fair participation of Kurds and other components in political decision-making.
The Turkish threat is an existential danger to the gains of the Kurds
The Turkish intervention represents the greatest threat to Autonomous Administration and Kurdish gains. Since its military intervention in Syria, Turkey has occupied vast areas such as Afrin, Seré Kaniyé/Ras al-Ain, and Gire sipî/Tal Abyad, committing serious violations against the local population, including forced displacement and demographic changes. Turkey exploits security excuses to fight Autonomous Administration while actually aiming to eliminate any successful Kurdish experiment that might encourage Kurds within its borders. The ongoing threat of new military operations, under the silence of the international community, reflects the double standards of international norms and undermines the chances of achieving sustainable peace in Syria.
The importance of international guarantees for Kurds and Autonomous Administration
To achieve justice and guarantee Kurdish rights in a new Syria, international powers must provide explicit guarantees that ensure:
- Recognition of Autonomous Administration: Recognition is an essential part of the political solution in Syria, ensuring its participation in drafting the new constitution.
- Fair representation of Kurds and other components: Their representation in the transitional government and state institutions to ensure genuine participation of all parties.
- Fair distribution of wealth: To ensure that all Syrian regions, including Autonomous Administration areas, receive their fair share of natural resources such as oil and water.
- Preventing Turkish interventions: By imposing international sanctions on any new military movements against Autonomous Administration areas and opening an international investigation into previous Turkish violations.
- Human rights guarantees: Through international oversight on any transitional process to ensure the protection of the rights of Kurds and other components and to prevent the recurrence of previous violations.
Overcoming the danger of singularity of power and moving towards a comprehensive democratic Syria
Building a new Syria requires overcoming the past mistakes that led to the Syrian regime monopolizing power for decades. The new state must be based on principles of decentralization and democracy, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrian components. Autonomous Administration represents a cornerstone to achieving this goal, as it presents a model of multicultural and multi-religious governance that can be the heart of an inclusive Syria. However, this model is threatened if strong international support is not provided to protect it from internal and external threats.
Justice and recognition to guarantee stability
The rights of Kurds are not merely a humanitarian issue; they are an integral part of a stable Syria’s future. Achieving justice requires recognition of the sacrifices of the Kurds and their role in building a new Syria, along with providing international guarantees to protect them from external threats and ensure their fair representation in the political and economic system. The international community faces a real test: either to assume its moral and legal responsibility in supporting the rights of the Kurds and Autonomous Administration or to continue its policy of neglect and double standards, which will only deepen Syrian wounds and exacerbate chaos.
The continued double standards in dealing with the Syrian crisis will only prolong the conflict and deepen social and political wounds. What is needed today is a real international will that transcends narrow interests and works to build a new Syria based on justice, equality, and respect for diversity. Continuation of current policies will only entrench chaos and increase the suffering of the Syrian people.
