Featured reading

Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

New Atlanticist Dec 8, 2024

Experts react: Rebels have toppled the Assad regime. What’s next for Syria, the Middle East, and the world?

By Atlantic Council experts

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been ousted as opposition forces quickly took the Syrian capital. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the developments.
Conflict Corruption
Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

Fast Thinking Dec 8, 2024

Assad has fallen. Now what?

By Atlantic Council

The power shift in Syria will reverberate across the Middle East and the world. Our experts explain what’s next.
Conflict Iran
Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

New Atlanticist Dec 9, 2024

Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

By Jonathan Panikoff

In just six months, Iran has slid from a position of strength to perhaps the weakest it has been since 1979.
Conflict Iran
Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

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
Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

New Atlanticist Dec 10, 2024

A blueprint for bringing about a new Syria

By Kirsten Fontenrose

For a reconstruction strategy in Syria to be effective, all parties must adopt a unified approach that is clear-eyed about the country’s new leaders.
Crisis Management International Organizations

Explore our Syria work

Syria Project

Our work on Syria sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Syrians to fulfill their desire for democratic self-governance as the United States and the international community grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war, millions of refugees across the Middle East and Europe, and ongoing security and political challenges spilling over Syria’s borders.

Group of world leaders sitting around table set up.

Syria Strategy Project

The Atlantic Council, Middle East Institute, and European Institute of Peace collaborate with subject matter experts and policymakers in the US, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to sustainably forge a pathway to resolving Syria’s crisis.

LEARN MORE

Featured experts

Leadership

Fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

Fellows

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Hind Kabawat

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Past events

Online Event Thu, December 19, 2024 • 12:30 pm ET

Putin loses in Syria. Is Russia in retreat?
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Middle East Russia
Online Event Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria
Conflict Economic Sanctions Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society Conflict
Load More

Learn more about the Middle East Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our 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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Sign up for all the latest updates!

Sign up for the MENASource newsletter, highlighting pieces that follow democratic transitions and economic changes throughout the region.



  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Content

In the News

Mar 11, 2025

Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the formation of a preparatory committee for National Dialogue Conference in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Political Reform

In the News

Mar 11, 2025

Kabawat mentioned in Enab Baladi on the National Dialogue Conference in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Political Reform

MENASource

Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Syria

TURKEYSource

Mar 3, 2025

The impact of the PKK leader’s call to disarm will depend on how regional power balances unfold

By Evren Balta

Whether this is truly the beginning of a historic resolution on the Kurdish question will depend on how regional alliances and power balances unfold.

Conflict Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2025

Is this the end of the PKK and its conflict with Turkey?

By Defne Arslan, Rich Outzen

Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan issued a call for the militant group to lay down its arms after four decades of conflict with the Turkish state.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Feb 26, 2025

Why post-Assad Syria complicates the Iran-Turkey rivalry

By Giorgio Cafiero

Depending on what unfolds after Assad's fall, there could be reason to expect a degree of Iran-Turkey alignment in Syria.

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Svetlova in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Syria in Turmoil: The View from Jerusalem

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Israel

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir in Middle East Eye: Syria after Assad: Sharaa’s delicate balancing act with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Israel

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Zaaimi quoted in World Politics Review on displaced Syrian women

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Migration

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Ashraph in the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide: Advancing justice and accountability in Syria after the fall of Assad: key priorities

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economic Sanctions
Load More

Events

Public Event Fri, March 21, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

US-Turkey relations under the new era
Conflict Eastern Europe Economy & Business Energy & Environment