US strikes in Iraq and Syria: Managing the escalation

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
US strikes in Iraq and Syria: Managing the escalation

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
US strikes in Iraq and Syria: Managing the escalation

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

New Atlanticist

Dec 31, 2019

US strikes in Iraq and Syria: Managing the escalation

By C. Anthony Pfaff

It is a very bad idea to turn Iraq into a battlefield (again). However, it is a worse idea to let Tehran use certain militias to continue to derail Iraq’s recovery, reconciliation, and reconstruction. It is certainly the case that the United States will have to accept a role for Iran in Iraq; however, the Iranians will likewise have to accept a role for the United States. If they do not, then the fault for turning Iraq into a battlefield lies with them.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

In the News

Dec 30, 2019

Wald in The Hill: Energy dominance is leverage for US foreign relations
Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

In the News

Dec 30, 2019

Bryza joins TRTWorld to discuss targeting of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria
Conflict Iran

In the News

Dec 30, 2019

Hudson quoted in the New York Times on Sudan’s sentencing to death of twenty-nine intelligence officers

By Atlantic Council

Africa Intelligence

In the News

Dec 29, 2019

Simakovsky quoted in DW on Kremlin interference in US elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections German

UkraineAlert

Dec 26, 2019

Russia-Ukraine War: Is peace possible in 2020?

By Peter Dickinson

The Russia-Ukraine War enters its seventh year in 2020 with no sign of a compromise that could end the conflict. Could recent efforts to restart the peace process produce results during the coming twelve months?

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 25, 2019

Slavin discusses Iran with Michael Morell on Intelligence Matters

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

SyriaSource

Dec 24, 2019

The relentless assault on Idlib

By Reema Hibrawi

The relentless airstrikes campaign on Idlib by the Syrian regime and Russia air forces predicted by many analysts, including this author, remains a defining battlefield to the regime in the Syrian conflict, nine years later. Seen as a last opposition stronghold populated by extremists and a millions of civilians and internally displaced people (IDP), Idlib province and its surroundings are a deadly place.

Conflict Corruption

In the News

Dec 24, 2019

Shaffer joins Bloomberg to discuss oil markets, electricity challenges, and 2020 forecasts

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

SyriaSource

Dec 24, 2019

Looking back at 2019: Our top five blogs

By Reema Hibrawi

It was an especially bleak year for Syria as displacement across the country continued especially in Idlib province. Below are our top five blogs in 2019 that touched on these important issues that captured the attention of our readers.

Corruption Political Reform
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Experts

Staff

Bailey Galicia

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Extremism

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Leon Leskovec

Policy Advisor, Legislative Coordination Unit, EPP Group in the European Parliament

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Laura Updegrove

Nonresident Senior Fellow, GeoStrategy Initiative

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Fellow

Richard Hurowitz

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Camilla Reitherman

Project Assistant

Millennium Leadership Program

Caribbean Civil Society

Millennium fellow

Fatima Abbas

Director of Tribal and Native Affairs, Department of Treasury

Millennium Leadership Program

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law
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Events

Online Event Tue, September 2, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Envisioning the threat to Taiwan: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
Civil Society Indo-Pacific Media National Security
Fri, September 5, 2025 • 1:30 pm ET

How does Russia view negotiations with Trump and Ukraine?
Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Russia Security & Defense