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MENASource

Dec 23, 2020

Five decades of Baathism survived because of nationalism

By Rahaf Aldoughli

Implicit in understanding the role of nationalism in maintaining the Assad regime’s survival is exploring the extent to which this ideology has given support to it.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Dec 14, 2020

Russian aid in Syria: An underestimated instrument of soft power

By Jonathan Robinson

Free from needing outside help by the international community, Russia’s self-sufficient aid ecosystem undermines, devalues, and rivals UN-led efforts in Syria, threatens to erode trust in the wider aid system, and provides a dangerous alternative narrative about the humanitarian environment in Syria for the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 10, 2020

Pity the nation: Assessing a half century of Assadist rule

By Steven Heydemann

The Syrian uprising is a more damning referendum on the Assad family legacy than any judgement that might be rendered by outsiders.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 3, 2020

Limited and constrained: The Biden administration and the prospects of a Syria policy

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

While any departure from the Trump administration’s transactional and inconsistent leadership is welcomed, the hopes surrounding the incoming Biden administration’s return to engagement in Syria requires more in-depth scrutiny.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

MENASource

Dec 1, 2020

2021 budget reveals the depth of Syria’s economic woes

By William Christou and Karam Shaar

Unless a political settlement is reached and the sanctions are lifted to enable reconstruction, the economy of regime-held Syria will continue to struggle.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 16, 2020

ICMP report highlights need to launch missing persons process for Syria

By Kathryne Bomberger

While the present Syrian government is unlikely to cooperate, much can be done in the short and medium term to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and credible process. Finding more than 130,000 missing persons will require investigations across Syria and beyond.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 5, 2020

Factbox: Iranian influence and presence in Syria

By Navvar Saban

This factbox presents a limited summary of Iran’s military and security power in Syria, revealing the extent of its sway over Syrian society and its economy.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Oct 26, 2020

Will US troops actually leave Syria in exchange for hostages?

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

While the talks between Washington and the Bashar al-Assad regime may be in its early stages, Donald Trump may want to secure some pre-election victories by securing the release of hostages and the return of soldiers.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 6, 2020

I survived Assad’s torture—here’s why I’m a proud advocate of the Caesar Act

By Omar Alshogre

The Caesar Act is not the solution, but an important tool that the US and the international community must use alongside others to end the killing in my homeland.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 22, 2020

The Gordian knot of Kurdish unity talks in Syria

By Rena Netjes and Lars Hauch

On September 20, US Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey visited northeast Syria for a meeting with delegations of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and allied Kurdish parties who have been engaging in so-called unity talks since November 2019.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

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Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, the Atlantic Council works with 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.