A Handshake That Shook a Debate

When Syrian de facto leader Ahmes AlSharaa delicately declined to shake German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s hand—while warmly greeting her French counterpart—it didn’t take long for German media to erupt. Accusations flew: Al-Shar was branded as disrespectful to women, dismissive of human rights, and emblematic of all that was wrong with Syrian governance. But how much of this storm was fueled by cultural blind spots rather than genuine affront?

As someone from Saudi Arabia, I have encountered similar moments of misunderstanding in Germany—situations where cultural nuances are often misunderstood or overlooked. Such experiences left me questioning how little tolerance there can sometimes be for practices that deviate from Western norms.

For many Muslims, refraining from physical contact with the opposite gender is a matter of religious principle, not personal judgment. Yet this nuance is often lost in Western debates, where such acts are hastily cast as symbols of disrespect or patriarchy. Al-Sharaa's decision was likely guided more by adherence to custom than any intentional slight. But as is often the case, misunderstanding such gestures risks turning moments of diplomacy into fodder for moral grandstanding.

Baerbock, no stranger to championing women’s and human rights, made Europe’s expectations of Syria crystal clear. It was a stance that would no doubt play well domestically. Yet diplomacy demands more than posturing; it requires listening as much as speaking. Without an effort to understand cultural contexts, such exchanges are more likely to alienate than to engage.

The controversy over a simple handshake reflects a broader challenge in international relations: the uneasy clash between universalist ideals and cultural particularities. Al-Sharaa’s refusal, rooted in custom, was no doubt interpreted differently in Damascus than in Berlin. For diplomacy to succeed, it requires a deft touch—one that sees beyond symbolic acts and into the values that underpin them. As a Saudi, I’ve come to appreciate that bridging divides is not about agreeing on every gesture but about understanding what they mean. After all, diplomacy is less about hands clasped than about minds meeting.

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