Syria

Recent analysis

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

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 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

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

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Amany Qaddour

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Nadia Farra

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Expert

Gregory Waters

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Democratic Transitions Middle East

Fellow

Marie Forestier

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Past events

Public Event Thu, February 23, 2023 • 8:00 am ET

What can Iran’s protesters learn from other pro-democracy movements?

Civil Society Democratic Transitions Economy & Business Iran

Public Event Mon, September 19, 2022 • 5:30 am ET

Safeguarding victims and witnesses in atrocity crime trials: A call to courts and governments

Americas Human Rights International Organizations Iran

Online Event Thu, June 16, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

From Syria to Ukraine: Russia’s continued attacks on healthcare in conflict

Europe & Eurasia Human Rights International Norms International Organizations

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

Content

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

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Feb 12, 2026

A year into its post-Assad era, Syria needs a ‘rules-first’ reset

By Ibrahim Al-Assil

In Syria, relief coexists with unease about what comes next. How can Ahmed al-Sharaa restore a state devastated by a quarter century of authoritarianism, corruption, and civil war? Building a government and economy that work for all Syrians is the only way forward.

Economy & Business
Freedom and Prosperity

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

In the News

Jan 24, 2026

Rich Outzen joins TRT World Now to discuss four-day Syria-YPG ceasefire

Conflict
Middle East

In the News

Jan 18, 2026

Rich Outzen joins Al Jazeera TV to discuss the situation in Syria

Middle East
Security & Defense

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

Inflection Points

Dec 19, 2025

Dispatch from Riyadh: Why Syria is central to the Middle East’s future

By Frederick Kempe

One year after Bashar al-Assad's fall, a visit to Saudi Arabia reveals the opportunities emerging to ensure that Syria doesn’t again fall prey to Iranian adventurism and regional chaos.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

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

Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wael Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Events

Public Event Mon, February 23, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

The future of Iraq-Syria relations

Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy Syria

Share

Recent analysis

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

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

Syria’s civil society must take center stage in reconstruction

Explore our Syria work

Syria Project

Syria Strategy Project

Featured experts

Past events

What can Iran’s protesters learn from other pro-democracy movements?

Safeguarding victims and witnesses in atrocity crime trials: A call to courts and governments

From Syria to Ukraine: Russia’s continued attacks on healthcare in conflict

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Content

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

A year into its post-Assad era, Syria needs a ‘rules-first’ reset

Why Syria’s government must turn inward in 2026

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

Rich Outzen joins TRT World Now to discuss four-day Syria-YPG ceasefire

Rich Outzen joins Al Jazeera TV to discuss the situation in Syria

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

Dispatch from Riyadh: Why Syria is central to the Middle East’s future

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

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

Experts

Events

The future of Iraq-Syria relations

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