Regional tensions and the ongoing war in Gaza have once again taken the spotlight as Arab leaders convened in Baghdad on Saturday, May 17, 2025, for the annual Arab League summit.
The high-stakes meeting comes amid a volatile backdrop, just two months after the collapse of a January ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which had temporarily paused hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Since the truce unraveled, Israeli forces have launched an extensive military campaign across Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to escalating military operations until Hamas is “completely dismantled.”
The renewed violence has only heightened urgency among Arab leaders to find a unified response, especially in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza’s roughly 2 million residents.
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During an emergency summit in Cairo this past March, the Arab League endorsed a plan for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction—emphasizing that any such efforts must safeguard the rights of Palestinians to remain in their homeland.
That proposal is expected to dominate discussions again in Baghdad, as leaders grapple with the dual challenges of mounting civilian casualties and an elusive path to peace.
However, the Baghdad summit has also been somewhat overshadowed by recent moves on the geopolitical stage. U.S. President Donald Trump completed a high-profile regional tour earlier in the week that, while falling short of brokering a new ceasefire, drew global attention.
The most controversial moment of the tour came during Trump’s meeting with newly-installed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa—once a militant figure who had fought U.S. forces during the Iraq conflict.
Trump surprised many by pledging to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, a move that has stirred strong reactions across the region. Despite the bold diplomatic gesture, President al-Sharaa was not present at the Baghdad summit.
Instead, Syria’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Sources indicate that internal resistance from Iraqi Shia political groups and militias—who remain skeptical of al-Sharaa’s past as a Sunni militant—contributed to the decision to exclude him from attending.
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The evolving dynamics between the U.S., Israel, and various Arab nations continue to shape the tone of the summit, as regional powers weigh their alliances, strategic goals, and the potential repercussions of deeper military escalation in Gaza.
With the humanitarian toll rising and diplomatic efforts faltering, the summit represents a critical moment for the Arab world to assert its stance and seek a cohesive strategy in the face of growing instability.
As Baghdad hosts this pivotal gathering, the region watches closely—hoping for not just symbolic unity, but concrete steps toward peace, stability, and the long-awaited end to one of the most devastating conflicts of the decade.
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