Recent visitation from the Minister of Saudi Arabia to Syria alarmed other members within the Arab League, particularly related to Syria's ongoing political and social unrest. Some major players expressed their own concerns, regarding the role of Syria, and how the current Syrian government lost their complete trust. Meanwhile, Syria's leader pushed back against all kinds of claims, and believed the seat at the table must be presented by the Arab League. How should we understand the complication? How about the nation of Tunisia? What is the relations between Tunisia and Syria today?

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen is the Fellow for the Middle East at Rice

University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. His research spans the

history, political and international political economy, and international relations of the Gulf States and their changing position within the global order.