Syria’s Geopolitical Paradox: Rejecting Regional Powers While Embracing Distant Allies
A new Foreign Affairs poll reveals that Syrians overwhelmingly reject both Israel and Iran—the region’s most influential adversaries—while embracing the United States and Saudi Arabia, suggesting a profound realignment of Middle Eastern loyalties shaped by over a decade of devastating conflict.
The Survey’s Striking Numbers
The Foreign Affairs survey paints a picture of Syrian public opinion that defies conventional wisdom about Middle Eastern allegiances. With only 4% of Syrians viewing Israel favorably and a nearly identical 5% supporting Iran, the data reveals a population that has grown deeply skeptical of the region’s traditional power brokers. The overwhelming 92% who perceive Israeli military actions as a direct threat underscores the enduring impact of territorial disputes and military interventions on Syrian consciousness.
Perhaps most surprising is the relatively low support for Russia at 16%, despite Moscow’s decisive military intervention that helped keep President Bashar al-Assad in power. This stands in stark contrast to the 60% who back the United States—a figure that would have seemed impossible during the height of anti-American sentiment in the 2000s. The real winners in Syrian hearts appear to be the Gulf monarchies, with Saudi Arabia commanding an extraordinary 87% approval rating, followed by Qatar at 83%.
Understanding the Geopolitical Shift
These numbers reflect more than mere opinion; they represent the psychological aftermath of Syria’s brutal civil war and the complex web of international interventions that followed. Iran’s extensive military presence through proxy militias and its economic exploitation of war-torn regions has clearly alienated the Syrian population, despite Tehran’s alliance with the Assad government. Similarly, repeated Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian positions in Syria have reinforced perceptions of Israel as a hostile force, even among those who might oppose Iranian influence.
The high approval ratings for Saudi Arabia and Qatar signal a pragmatic turn in Syrian public sentiment. As the country faces massive reconstruction needs and economic devastation, Syrians appear to be looking toward wealthy Gulf states as potential sources of investment and aid. The recent Arab League readmission of Syria and warming ties between Damascus and Riyadh have likely influenced these perceptions, as has Gulf humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees and displaced populations.
Policy Implications for Regional Stability
This data should prompt serious reconsideration of U.S. and European policies toward Syria. If a majority of Syrians view America favorably despite years of sanctions and political isolation, there may be unexplored opportunities for engagement that could help stabilize the country while countering Iranian and Russian influence. The extremely low support for normalization with Israel (just 14%) also suggests that any regional peace framework must account for deep-seated Syrian opposition to such moves, regardless of government-level negotiations.
The survey results also highlight the growing influence of Gulf states in shaping Syrian public opinion and, potentially, the country’s future trajectory. As Saudi Arabia and the UAE pursue their “Vision 2030” economic diversification plans, investing in Syrian reconstruction could serve both their economic interests and their goal of reducing Iranian influence in the Arab world.
What does it mean for the future of the Middle East when a population that has endured one of the 21st century’s most devastating conflicts trusts distant America and wealthy Gulf monarchies more than their immediate neighbors and supposed allies? The answer may determine whether Syria becomes a bridge for regional reconciliation or remains a fractured battleground where external powers compete for influence over a traumatized but remarkably clear-eyed population.
