SyriaSource

SyriaSource provided on-the-ground coverage from local, regional, and international experts with timely news and analysis.

SyriaSource

SyriaSource followed the dynamics in Syria through in-depth analysis of the impact of the conflict on Syria, its neighbors and the international community. Amplifying a diverse range of Syrian and regional voices—to reach both English—and Arabic-speaking audiences, SyriaSource transforms their words from strong but distant ideas to resounding perspectives not often heard among Washington and international policymakers. For the latest work on Syria, please visit MENASource.

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The latest on Syria


MENASource

Feb 20, 2026

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

By
Kurt Davis Jr.

There are lessons from Libya's fragmentation and collapse that can be applied now as Syria sits at a similar inflection point.


Conflict

Libya


MENASource

Jan 29, 2026

Why Syria’s government must turn inward in 2026

By
Gregory Waters

Necessary domestic reforms include continued security reforms, economic development, and writing a new constitution.


Civil Society

Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Jan 28, 2026

Syria’s Kurds could be al-Sharaa’s partners in rebuilding. Why did Damascus assault them instead?

By
Amy Austin Holmes

The offensive on Kurdish neighborhoods was the third wave of sectarian violence after the targeting of Druze and Alawites.


Democratic Transitions

Middle East


MENASource

Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By
Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.


Civil Society

Conflict


MENASource

Dec 18, 2025

Russia’s most important Middle East base is not where you think

By
Frank Talbot

Before its future in post-Assad Syria was determined, Russia was actively searching for alternative strategic relationships in the region.


Defense Policy

Libya


MENASource

Dec 8, 2025

States shouldn’t waste the chance to establish a Syria Victims Fund

By
Kate Springs, Celeste Kmiotek

A centralized fund would better support victims of international law violations in Syria, who face unique challenges.


Democratic Transitions

International Norms


MENASource

Dec 7, 2025

Syria’s civil society must take center stage in reconstruction

By
Tara Kangarlou and Merissa Khurma

One year since Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syria stands to have the most potential to showcase how local ownership can accelerate reconstruction.


Civil Society

Middle East


MENASource

Dec 7, 2025

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

By
Elise Baker and Ahmad Helmi

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


Democratic Transitions

International Norms


MENASource

Nov 21, 2025

Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition is a westward pivot—with opportunities and risks

By
Merissa Khurma and Giorgio Cafiero

The decision is a shift in the country’s alignment—from Russian and Iranian spheres of influence to one in NATO and GCC regional orbits.


Democratic Transitions

Middle East


MENASource

Sep 24, 2025

Is a new era of Turkey-Syria economic engagement on the horizon?

By
Ömer Özkizilcik and Levent Kemal

The convergence of Turkey's and the Gulf's economic strategies in Syria presents an opportunity for Washington.


Democratic Transitions

Middle East

Content

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Top News: February 29, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syria truce brings sharp fall in death toll, but attacks continue in some areas – Syria ceasefire task force meets, France wants answers on violations– World powers trade accusations over ceasefire violations– Ban Ki-moon says ceasefire in Syria is holding– Russia says federalism is an option for Syria– Humanitarian aid begins to besieged towns

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Cessation of Hostilities: So Far, So Good

By Frederic C. Hof

The opening hours of what would ideally be an open-ended cessation of hostilities in western Syria have reflected generally good results. Residential neighborhoods bombed mercilessly by Russian and Assad regime aircraft—attacks that often focused on medical facilities—are experiencing a modicum of calm for the first time in months and even years. A portion of the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Russia and the Regime’s War on Civilians in Deir Ezzor

By Fikram

The Syrian regime and its Russian ally are waging war against civilians, not only with light, heavy, and indiscriminate munitions, but also with economic weapons, as they demonstrated in Deir Ezzor these past two months.

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 26, 2016

Top News: February 26, 2016

By SyriaSource

– UN Security Council aims to endorse halt in Syria fighting– Putin says groups in Syria ready to comply with ceasefire; Russian air strikes intensify– Bombs hit Syrian hospitals, medical workers fear they are target – Rights groups slam ‘shameful’ Russia deportation of Syrian refugees– United States sensitive to Turkey’s YPG concerns, but wants more information– […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 25, 2016

Top News: February 25, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria army excludes rebel town near Damascus from truceUN has high hopes for aid from Syria truce but airdrop flopsSyrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from ISISUN to announce new round of Syria talksSaudi warplanes to arrive at Turkey’s Incirlik air baseTurkey says Syria ceasefire is not binding if it threatens security 

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 24, 2016

What Can Be Done for Syria’s Antiquities?

By Idir Ouahes

The hazy question of ownership lies at the core of the trade and destruction of Middle Eastern artifacts. As the Syrian civil war becomes increasingly complex, familiar questions call out for an answer: who owns a country’s antiquities and what can be done to protect them in times of unrest?

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 24, 2016

Top News: February 24, 2016

By SyriaSource

ISIS tightens grip on Syrian government road to AleppoUN aid convoys head to two Syrian besieged townsTurkey casts doubt on chances of ceasefire in SyriaDNA report suggests Ankara bomber was Turkish

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Afrin and the Race for the Azaz Corridor

By Thomas Schmidinger

For the last five years Afrin (Kurdish: Efrîn) was the most tranquil of the three Kurdish enclaves in Syria. As in the other two Kurdish cantons, Kobane and Jazira (Kurdish: Kobanê, Cizîrê), the Syrian regime army pulled back from the region in spring 2012 and left it to the control of Democratic Union Party (PYD) […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Cessation of Hostilities: Urgent, But Not Likely

By Frederic C. Hof

The cessation of hostilities in Syria originally scheduled to take effect on or about February 19 is now slated—per a Russia-United States joint statement—to take effect on February 27. Although Syrian rebel groups are being invited (along with the Assad regime and its external supporters) to signal acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Aleppo, Azaz, and Failed US Syria Policy

By Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff

Aleppo and Azaz are two cities in northern Syria that represent the result of US Syria policy. After five years of half measures, false starts, broken red lines, and bouts of funding for Syrian aid and development projects, we have now entered a new phase: uncoordinated pieces of the US intelligence and defense community supporting […]

Syria
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