Syria Project

Our work on Syria sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Syrians to fulfill their desire for democratic self-governance as the United States and the international community grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war, millions of refugees across the Middle East and Europe, and ongoing security and political challenges spilling over Syria’s borders.

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The United States should look to Turkey as a regional balancing actor against Iran

MENASource Sep 5, 2023

The uprising in Sweida will continue until the regime changes in Syria

By Rima Flihan

These demonstrations call for a change in the Syrian regime and the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
The United States should look to Turkey as a regional balancing actor against Iran

MENASource Aug 24, 2023

No quick fixes for the Middle East’s captagon crisis

By Karam Shaar

Counter-captagon policies should look further ahead and deeper into the causes of the demand in the first place.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
The United States should look to Turkey as a regional balancing actor against Iran

MENASource Jun 20, 2023

‘Any nationality just not Syrian’: Refugee deportations surge in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey

By Arwa Damon

While Syria’s neighboring countries have long been struggling to host their Syrian refugee populations, with many, like Lebanon, being in a complete crisis of their own, the sheer lack of care provided to refugees is inhumane.
Civil Society Human Rights
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Leadership

Fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

Fellows

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Past events

Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society Conflict
Public Event Mon, March 18, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

The Syria Strategy Project: A public launch
Civil Society Conflict Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Online Event Mon, February 12, 2024 • 12:00 pm ET

One year on: Assessing the February 6th earthquake response in Syria
Civil Society Economy & Business Human Rights International Organizations
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Learn more about the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

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Content

MENASource

May 10, 2024

The United States should look to Turkey as a regional balancing actor against Iran

By Doga Unlu

US President Joe Biden has a diplomatic opportunity to strengthen an old partnership and position Turkey as a regional bulwark to encourage a more balanced Iran.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

May 9, 2024

Syria holds the key to improved US-Turkey ties

By Ömer Özkizilcik

It is crucial that the United States and Turkey overcome their differences because the governments need to strengthen their alliance—especially as it concerns Syria. 

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi quoted in Raseef22 on Israel-Iran escalation

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Conflict

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi joins Syria TV to discuss Biden’s obstruction of Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Economic Sanctions

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi quoted in Arabi 21 on Biden’s obstruction of Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Economic Sanctions

In the News

May 2, 2024

Idlbi interviewed in Al Jumhuriyah to discuss the Syria Strategy Project

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Middle East

MENASource

Apr 25, 2024

The Syrian parliamentary elections are coming up. Should anyone care?

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The polls will be held again against a backdrop of massive displacement, unresolved conflict, partial occupation, and an intransigent regime.

Conflict Elections

In the News

Apr 19, 2024

Idlbi quoted in Arabi 21 on new US captagon law

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Middle East

Inflection Points Today

Apr 10, 2024

Why attention must refocus on Iran

By Frederick Kempe

The most effective way to address Iran’s regional ambitions is to return as quickly as possible to the path of normalization between Israel and modernizing Arab states.

Crisis Management Defense Policy

In the News

Apr 8, 2024

Vinograd interviewed on CBS about a recent Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria

On April 8, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Samantha Vinograd appeared on CBS discussing Iran’s vow to retaliate after an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria and the implications for regional, global, and US national security.

Conflict Crisis Management
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Experts

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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