Recent analysis

Bakir in Middle East Eye: Israel’s attacks on Syria threaten regional stability and will ultimately backfire

New Atlanticist Dec 17, 2024

Dispatch from Damascus: Celebrations and concerns as a new Syria takes shape

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Syrians in Damascus are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, but that joy is mixed with concern for how the country’s new leaders will govern.
Conflict Crisis Management
Bakir in Middle East Eye: Israel’s attacks on Syria threaten regional stability and will ultimately backfire

MENASource Jun 20, 2025

On World Refugee Day, complexities persist for Syrian returnees

By Sinan Hatahet

While Syria’s political shift brings new hope, it also highlights the complex realities that still define the Syrian landscape.
Middle East Migration
Bakir in Middle East Eye: Israel’s attacks on Syria threaten regional stability and will ultimately backfire

MENASource Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.
Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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.

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Featured experts

Former fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

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

Former fellow

Hind Kabawat

Former 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
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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

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir in Middle East Eye: Israel’s attacks on Syria threaten regional stability and will ultimately backfire

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Israel

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir in Anadolu Ajansi: The Iran-led narcotics empire: Syria’s Captagon trade unveiled

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir quoted in The New Arab on the future of Turkey and Israel in the new Syria

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir joins Al Jazeera to discuss the challenges facing the new Syrian administration

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Bakir joins CGTN to discuss how the new Syrian administration’s challenges

By Atlantic Council

Iran Israel

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kather and Klamberg in OpinioJuris: Justice for the Yazidis in the Ishaq Case by the Stockholm District Court – Part I

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kather and Klamberg in OpinioJuris: Justice for the Yazidis in the Ishaq Case by the Stockholm District Court – Part II

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Middle East

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kabawat joins Angle, Anchor, and Voice to discuss the role of Syrian women in shaping Syria’s future

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Resilience & Society

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kabawat mentioned in Deutsche Welle Arabic on the Syrian National Dialogue

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Elections

In the News

Feb 25, 2025

Kabawat mentioned in Catholic Culture on the committee drafting Syria’s new constitution

By Atlantic Council

Elections Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

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
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