In an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website about the European and American approach to developments in Syria, especially the issue of lifting sanctions on the country, Rahman Ghahramanpour stated: The West’s approach to the Syrian issue is a function of the state of international politics on the one hand and the West Asian region on the other. At the international level, Europe and the United States are trying to prevent China from gaining power and, on the other hand, contain Russia’s military ambitions in Eastern Europe. Therefore, unlike in the past, they no longer have the opportunity, energy, and facilities to bring about the changes they want in West Asia. After September 11, the view was formed that Europe and the United States could democratize West Asia, but the experience of the last 20 years showed that this is not possible. The West does not have the facilities to do so either. Therefore, the position of the West in the international system and its focus on competing with China, preventing this country from gaining power, and weakening the liberal order have caused the West to become more realistic regarding the issues of West Asia, especially Syria. He continued: After the developments of the Arab Spring and the beginning of the Arab protests in Syria, an international mechanism was formed in this country that, for example, did not exist in Iraq during Saddam’s time. The “Geneva” mechanism brought together the opponents of Assad. This mechanism encouraged them to work together, get to know each other and think about the future of Syria after Bashar al-Assad. That is after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the opposition groups, and the West were not surprised by this event. They had already established the Council of the Opposition to Bashar al-Assad, which had a lot of history and experience. Therefore, the West was not surprised by the recent developments in Syria. As soon as Assad fell, officials from European countries and the United States immediately established contact and exchanges with the opposition forces in Syria.

This international affairs expert clarified the way Europe and the United States deal with the developments in Syria, saying that on the one hand, the United States has identified Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist group, and on the other hand, it has shown that it is ready to interact with them. This approach is also followed by the Europeans.

Referring to the experience of occupying Iraq and changing the political regime in this country with the support and instigation of the United States and Europe, Ghahramanpour stated: “The experience of Iraq shows that the countries of the region can turn Syria after Bashar al-Assad into a zone of continuous conflict and conflict and cause a civil war in Syria, in which case its negative consequences will be felt in Europe, especially in terms of the wave of Syrian refugees returning to Europe. This is in a situation where Europe is under economic pressure, and Russia has created enormous financial and military costs for European countries due to the war with Ukraine. Also, the increase in immigration to Europe will cause the growth of the extreme right and populist parties that oppose the European Union’s expansion and favor countries leaving the union.

He said: “The increase in the number of bankrupt and failed governments in West Asia is another reason that could have major security and economic consequences for Europe in terms of developments in Syria. In addition to Syria, in Yemen and Libya, strong governments capable of governing the country have not been formed after the collapse. In addition to migrating to Europe, people in these countries can cause insecurity in the region, threaten interests, and create conflicts in Europe. For example, after the collapse in Libya, increased tension between opposing groups led to a conflict of interests in Europe; that is, France supported one group, Italy supported another group, and Turkey supported other groups, while these groupings can exacerbate internal disputes in Europe. Ghahramanpour continued: The next issue for Europe and the United States is the issue of the Syrian Kurds. In recent years, the issue of the Kurds has become a serious concern for Europe and the United States. The United States seeks to use the Kurds as a bargaining tool in its relations with Iran, Turkey, and Iraq, but Europe is more concerned about the Kurds. Kurds in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark have entered the decision-making arena in the parliaments of these countries. On the other hand, Europe is concerned about the violation of the rights of the Kurds in this region due to its commitment to human rights. Europe is worried that the conflict between the Kurds and Turkey will lead to violations of the rights of the Syrian Kurds.

Regarding the European and American views on Turkey’s role in the developments in Syria, this international affairs expert said Europe and the United States currently do not want to get involved in the problems and difficulties of Syria and prefer to cooperate with the country closest to them, Turkey, in this regard, because they are more comfortable politically with the Turks. In addition, due to its geopolitical and political situation in the region, Turkey has relations with Russia and Ukraine on the one hand, as well as with Iran and Iraq, and on the other hand, it can probably work with several different groups inside Syria, and this is a situation that other countries in the region lack this possibility and opportunity.

Regarding the decision of Europe and the United States to lift international and European sanctions against Syria, he stated: It is natural that Europe and the United States are in a special situation; they must both force the opposition groups in Syria to make fundamental changes in their ideological and political approaches and views and bring the international community to bear.

They should explain why they want to lift the sanctions against Syria. This is while if they postpone lifting the sanctions or do not want to make such a decision, it will cause inequalities and disputes in Syria to continue. The process of forming a specific political structure and establishing peace in this country will be postponed or jeopardized. Ultimately, the prospects for political stability in this country will be questioned.