Syria

Arabic
Conflict

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Arabic
English

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Amany Qaddour

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Nadia Farra

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

Expert

Gregory Waters

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

Fellow

Marie Forestier

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Arabic
French

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Online Event
Thu, December 19, 2024 • 7:30 am ET

Arabic
Middle East

Past events

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

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

SyriaSource

May 4, 2017

Iraqi Shia Fighters in Syria

By Ali Alfoneh

While the Shia led government in Baghdad is engaged in a determined effort to wipe out the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) from Iraqi territory, the very Shia militias, which constitute the backbone of the government forces, are simultaneously engaged in combat operations in neighboring Syria.

Iraq
Syria

In the News

Apr 30, 2017

Abouzhar Quoted by War is Boring on Raqqa Post-ISIS

By Hossam Abouzahr

Read the full article here.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2017

Erdoğan Asks US to End Support for Kurdish Militias, Hand Over Cleric

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the Atlantic Council’s Istanbul Summit on April 28, urged the United States to end its support for Kurdish rebels in Syria and to extradite a cleric Turkey says orchestrated a failed coup attempt in July of 2016; he also accused some European countries of harboring terrorists. Erdoğan’s remarks […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Syrians in Lebanon Turned Away

By Hasan Arfeh

At the onset of Syria’s uprisings in 2011, Lebanon was the first stop for Syrians fleeing Bashar al-Assad’s regime and military service in the army. Lebanon and Syria share similarities in customs and traditions which has provided a sense of home to those fleeing nearby Damascus province and other Syrian towns. Yet, shifting conditions are now […]

Syria

In the News

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Trump’s Generals Wonder: What Comes After Raqqa?

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Pavel Quoted by ABC News on Rebuilding Syria

By Barry Pavel

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sirgany Reports for CNN:Syria Blames Israel for Damascus Airport Blast

By Sarah El Sirgany

Read the full article here.

Israel
Syria

SyriaSource

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Giving Diplomacy in Syria a Chance

By Frederic C. Hof

During the first six years of conflict in Syria, American diplomats tried to bring order to chaos but found themselves disabled by a White House determined not to alienate Iran. Consciously or not, the Trump administration has resurrected American diplomacy as a potential player in the Syrian crisis. It did so by using military force […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 26, 2017

Shia Pakistani Fighters in Syria

By Ali Alfoneh

Among Tehran’s Shia proxies participating in the Syrian civil war in defense of the Assad regime, the Pakistani Zeinabiyoun Brigade remains the most understudied. This may in part be due to the militia’s small size and limited contribution to the war, and because of the militia’s attempt to remain invisible to the prying eyes of […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 26, 2017

Ending the War on Civilians: A Discussion with Syria’s White Helmets

By SyriaSource

On April 24, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East was honored to host members of the Syrian Civil Defense, informally known as the White Helmets, for a discussion covering the war on civilians, the potential for safe zones, and a view from the ground of the conflict in Syria. Senior Fellow […]

Syria

Experts

Fellow

Marie Forestier

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Arabic Conflict

Expert

Jon Wilks

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Human Rights International Norms

Expert

Gregory Waters

Democratic Transitions Middle East

Fellow

Nadia Farra