MENASource brings you up-close to a region at the epicenter of geo-political headlines. It is the Atlantic Council’s hub for in-depth commentary about breaking news, key topics, and trends from our team of experts on the Middle East and North Africa.

The views expressed in MENASource are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

Learn more about the Middle East

The Legal Case against Using Force in Syria: A Reply to Ulbrick, Williams, and Worboys

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

One year after Assad’s fall, here’s what’s needed to advance justice for Syrians

The second year of a post-Assad Syria requires structural reform, victim-centered leadership, and international reinforcement.

Read More

The Legal Case against Using Force in Syria: A Reply to Ulbrick, Williams, and Worboys

MENASource
Nov 20, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s next horizon: Building human capital beyond Vision 2030

By
Khalid Azim

Riyadh still needs to take fully support small and medium-sized enterprises—the true engines of job creation.

Economy & Business
Middle East

The Legal Case against Using Force in Syria: A Reply to Ulbrick, Williams, and Worboys

MENASource
Nov 10, 2025

The Nile at a crossroads: Navigating the GERD dispute as Egypt’s floodwaters rise

By
Alessia Melcangi

The latest escalation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia coincides with a diplomatic shift from the United States.

Africa
Climate Change & Climate Action

Stay Updated


Content

MENASource

Sep 2, 2013

The Legal Case against Using Force in Syria: A Reply to Ulbrick, Williams, and Worboys

By Hyder Syed

On August 31, 2013, MENASource published an article by J. Trevor Ulbrick, Paul R. Williams, and Jonathan P. Worboys setting out a legal case for military intervention in Syria. The authors, all respected commentators on public international law, argue that the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) doctrine would legally sanction the limited use of force against […]

Syria

MENASource

Sep 1, 2013

Syria: A Mystifying Lack of US Preparedness

By Fred Hof

The decision of President Barack Obama to seek congressional approval for US military strikes in Syria is constitutionally sound, but strategically appalling. By not making it clear from the outset of the crisis that he would seek the approval of the Senate and House for a military response to the Assad regime’s chemical atrocity, the […]

Syria

MENASource

Aug 31, 2013

The Legal Case for Using Force to Prevent a Government from Employing Chemical Weapons to Commit Mass Atrocities

By J. Trevor Ulbrick, Paul R. Williams, and Jonathan P. Worboys

Calls for intervention in Syria have intensified in the wake of the recent sarin gas attack outside Damascus, which killed an estimated 1429 civilians, including 426 children. In response, both the US and France have declared their willingness to use force against the Assad regime. Yet even now, after nearly three years, 100,000 civilians killed, […]

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

This Week in Egypt – August 30, 2013

By Amira Mikhail

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

Why the Muslim Brotherhood Fell Politically (Part II)

By Yussef Auf

The Muslim Brotherhood reached the pinnacle of power in Egypt on June 30, 2012, by way of its candidate Mohamed Morsi. However, power did not remain in their hands for long, with the president ousted on July 3, 2013. Regardless of how Mohamed Morsi came to power and regardless of the events of June 30 […]

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

Top News: US still seeks international coalition on Friday

By MENASource

The United States will continue to seek out an international coalition to act together on Syria, despite a vote against military action by British MPs, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday. He added that Washington respected the British parliament’s stance rejecting participation in any punitive strikes against the Syrian regime and that it would […]

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

Top News: Egypt Brotherhood Protests Draw Tens of Thousands

By EgyptSource

Tens of thousands of protesters and Muslim Brotherhood supporters rallied Friday throughout Egypt against a military coup and a bloody security crackdown, though tanks and armored police vehicles barred them from converging in major squares.

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

Syrian Refugees are Unwanted Guests in Lebanon

By Rachel Webb

In the latest, horrifying turn of events in Syria’s protracted civil war, videos surfaced showing the aftermath of an alleged chemical attack in Damascus. With a US military strike on Syria seemingly imminent, all eyes are on the escalation of tensions between Western and regional powers. Yet the result of such violence is playing out […]

Syria

MENASource

Aug 30, 2013

Syria: President Obama’s PBS Interview

By Fred C. Hof

President Barack Obama sat for a PBS interview on the evening of August 28, 2013 and spoke at some length about how he is processing the situation in Syria in the wake of the previous week’s massive regime chemical attack on Syrian civilians.

Syria

MENASource

Aug 29, 2013

Atlantic Council Experts Discuss Syria Options

By MENASource

As President Barack Obama faces the complex emergencies developing in the wake of the most recent chemical weapons attack in Syria, his administration is carefully weighing options and Syria, the Middle East, and the world awaits his response.

Load More