It would have been very difficult to predict a day when countries in the region which have been historically aligned with the US would find themselves under greater threat as a result of the ambiguity, confusion and contradictions in US policy around the so-called war on terrorism. While many countries are upgrading their national security and preparing for regional cross-border terrorism, US policy appears to be indifferent to the current risk of escalation on many fronts.

Turkey, Qatar and Egypt have all recently experienced political transition and disorder. Strangely, it is the same three countries that have taken a hawkish position on Syria.  

After the recent political succession in Qatar an exit strategy is looming. This change first appeared when Al Jazeera, the most effective tool of change in the Arab world and used extensively by the Qatari administration, was deprived from having priority or exclusivity in coverage of the succession in Qatar.

Political and security impacts of the crisis in Syria are rolling through the region. From the political crisis in Turkey to the security impacts in Iraq and Lebanon. Syria’s neighbors should stand ready to deal with the new features of the crisis. Jordan should also be ready to face various scenarios related to the complication of the crisis moving across the Syrian border. 

Eleven countries seem ready to increase their engagement in helping rebels group fighting Assad’s regime. That is what emerged from the latest “Syria Friends Group” summit hosted in Doha (Qatar, 21-22 June). Far from the 144 participants of the first Group meeting in Marrakech (12 December 2012), there were only eleven countries in Doha; and yet United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates declared themselves ready and inclined to support the anti-regime guerrilla with weapons and equipment supplies. In Al-Thani, Qatar Emir, «force is necessary to achieve justice, and the provision of weapons is the only way to achieve peace in Syria's case». British Foreign Secretary William Hague declarations followed the same line, although he reiterated that London had yet to take a formal decision: «we won't get a political solution if Assad and his regime think they can eliminate all legitimate opposition by force, and so we do have to give assistance to that opposition», he said.

As the “Friends of Syria” summit begins this week, intense terrorist attacks are expected all across Syria. 

Expectations of a military intervention in Syria were reduced after the “Eager Lion II” military exercises. Meanwhile, the American Axis are back to meeting under the umbrella of the “Friends of Syria Summit”, to discuss sending weapons to the rebels in Syria.