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MENASource

Dec 18, 2024

Will Russia be able to keep its bases in Syria?  

By Mark N. Katz

It would be in the United States’ and Israel’s interests not to give the new Syrian government reasons to let Russia keep those bases.  

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Dec 10, 2024

Where Syria goes next after the fall of Assad

By Frederic C. Hof

With the Assad family agone, Syria, at long last, has a chance to achieve the kind of political transition envisioned by the 2012 Geneva Final Communique and UNSCR 2254.

Conflict Middle East

MENASource

Dec 5, 2024

What does Turkey gain from the rebel offensive in Syria?

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The rebel offensive took many by surprise, but analysts familiar with the situation in Syria were aware that the rebels were prepared to launch it by mid-October.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Nov 8, 2024

Turkey is searching for a way out of Syria’s impasse

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Turkey has been at a standstill, which, combined with domestic political considerations, led to a reevaluation of its strategy.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Sep 26, 2024

Member states can and should refer the situation of Syria to the ICC

By Yaser Tabbara and Nick Leddy

Until a few years ago, Syria’s pathway to the ICC was closed. But in 2018 and 2019, two historic ICC decisions re-opened the door for Syria’s situation.

Conflict Middle East

MENASource

Sep 4, 2024

In France, it is no longer taboo to prosecute sitting heads of state like Bashar al-Assad

By Jeanne Sulzer and Clémence Witt

The June 26 decision is the first court decision to suggest that there is no such thing as absolute immunity for a sitting head of state.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Aug 16, 2024

Syrian elections ended. What have we learned from the results?

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The new parliament might be rejuvenated with significant turnover, but will likely remain in the service of the top Baath leadership.

Conflict Elections

MENASource

Aug 15, 2024

Red lines and reconciliation: Turkey and Syria’s diplomatic gamble

By Sinan Hatahet, Ömer Özkizilcik

The ongoing situation in Syria presents risks for Turkish security, prompting a search for viable solutions to its multifaceted challenges.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Aug 6, 2024

Can northeast Syria delink from the PKK?

By JP Reppeto

The United States needs effective allies in the northeast to stabilize the area and block an ISIS resurgence, while Turkey must prevent the entrenchment of a PKK-led statelet on its border.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Jul 25, 2024

Syrian elections are decided before election day

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

While the polls were held on July 15, the elections were effectively over at the end of the primaries.

Corruption Elections

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Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, 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.