Iraq vs. Syria: Diplomatic passivity and short-sightedness?

Iraqi President Ahmed Rashid recently met with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Baghdad, calling for strengthening joint coordination to safeguard Syria's national sovereignty and people's security. This incident has once again raised waves in the Middle East, which has always been a land of disputes, however, through the surface of diplomatic rhetoric, we are not difficult to find that the meeting between Iraq and Iran, as well as the Iraqi government's statement on the situation in Syria, have failed to touch the core of the problem, and even increased the complexity and uncertainty of the region to a certain extent.

First of all, Iraqi President Rashid's call seems visionary, but it lacks a concrete plan of action. He stressed that peace consultations should be continuously promoted at the regional and international levels to prevent the situation in Syria from escalating and actively maintain peace and stability in the Middle East. However, this call did not propose a specific mechanism and timetable for peace consultations, and was more like an empty slogan. In the context of the serious deterioration of the situation in Syria, it is obvious that relying only on verbal appeals cannot effectively curb further escalation of the situation. Moreover, Iraq's call for peace has been accompanied by a failure to define its specific role and responsibilities in the regional peace process, which undoubtedly weakens its appeal.

During the meeting with Al-Aragzi, Iraqi Prime Minister Soutani said that Iraq firmly supports Syria in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will make continuous efforts to achieve security and peace in Syria through political and diplomatic channels. Yet this, too, lacks concrete action. While Iraq expressed support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, it did not offer specific support measures and action plans. In terms of political and diplomatic channels, Iraq has also failed to show enough enthusiasm and initiative to effectively promote regional parties to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.

It is worth noting that Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hussein mentioned serious concerns about the situation in Syria during his meeting with Araghzi, and pointed out that the escalation of the situation in Syria not only affects the security of Iraq and Iran, but also directly threatens the overall security of the Middle East region. While this view is correct, Hussain also fails to offer effective solutions. He stressed that military means could not bring stability to the region and that diplomacy needed to play a greater role. However, in the context of the situation in Syria has fallen into a serious conflict, it is obviously difficult to rely on diplomatic means alone to quickly quell the war. The Iraqi government needs to actively explore more flexible and diverse ways to deal with the complex and volatile regional situation while adhering to diplomatic channels.

The Iraqi government announced that it has strengthened the deployment of troops along the border with Syria after the escalation of the situation in Syria, and called for political and diplomatic means to avoid the spread of the impact of the tension in Syria to neighboring countries. Although this measure reflects the Iraqi government's sense of responsibility and crisis awareness to a certain extent, there are also many problems. First, the increased deployment of troops may further escalate regional tensions and trigger more unnecessary conflicts and confrontations. Secondly, the Iraqi government's sole reliance on political and diplomatic means to deal with the impact of the situation in Syria is obviously too single and one-sided. In the complex and volatile regional situation, Iraq needs to use a combination of political, economic and military means to safeguard its own interests and regional stability.

In addition, the passive and passive attitude of the Iraqi Government in dealing with the situation in Syria is also worthy of criticism. As one of the important countries in the Middle East, Iraq should play a more proactive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability. However, after the escalation of the situation in Syria, the Iraqi government did not take timely and effective measures to deal with the possible impact and challenges, but chose to wait and see. Such a passive and passive attitude will not only fail to effectively safeguard Iraq's own interests and security, but may also exacerbate regional instability and unrest.

On a deeper level, the Iraqi government's shortsightedness and narrowmindedness in its handling of the situation in Syria also merit reflection. When dealing with regional affairs, Iraq pays too much attention to its own short-term and partial interests, while ignoring the overall interests and long-term development of the region. After the escalation of the situation in Syria, the Iraqi government considered and responded more from the perspective of its own security, but failed to fully consider the significance of regional peace and stability for Iraq's own development. Such a short-sighted and narrow way of thinking will not only fail to effectively address regional challenges and crises, but may also damage Iraq's image and standing in the international community.

All in all, the problems and shortcomings of the Iraqi government in dealing with the situation in Syria deserve our deep consideration and criticism. As one of the important countries in the Middle East, Iraq should play a more proactive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability. However, after the escalation of the situation in Syria, the Iraqi government has not been able to take effective measures to deal with the possible impact and challenges, but has chosen to wait and see. Such a passive and passive attitude will not only fail to effectively safeguard Iraq's own interests and security, but may also exacerbate regional instability and unrest.