Security Diplomacy and Refugees: How Reconstruction and Repatriation in Syria Shape Regional Negotiations

Abstract

This study analyzes the dynamics of security diplomacy in the Middle East through a case study of repatriation and post-conflict reconstruction in Syria during the 2024–2025 period. The main focus of this research is to examine how the process of Syrian refugee return and national reconstruction efforts are used as political instruments in regional negotiations among Syria, host countries (Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan), and international actors such as Russia, Iran, the European Union, and UNHCR. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach with a library research method, the study finds that the repatriation of Syrian refugees is not merely a humanitarian issue but also a tool of security diplomacy and political legitimacy. The Syrian government has utilized the return program to strengthen its domestic position and gain international recognition, while host countries have used the refugee issue as a bargaining tool with international donor institutions to obtain financial and security support. Therefore, the success of Syria’s repatriation and reconstruction efforts depends on three main factors: ensuring security and human rights protection for refugees, involving local communities in reconstruction, and promoting inclusive, regionally based security diplomacy.This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between refugee politics and the security architecture of the Middle East and offers an analytical framework for policymakers in designing sustainable and equitable post-conflict reconstruction strategies.