Syria

Syria

Syria stands at a pivotal juncture as it charts a path following the fall of the Assad regime. Syria’s new government faces the task of rebuilding a shattered economy and establishing state institutions capable of managing a diverse and war-affected population. A durable US-Syria partnership depends on sustained cooperation across reconstruction, governance, and Syria’s reintegration.

Featured commentary & analysis

El-Gamal in the Washington Post: Trump Should Let Syrian Refugees in. But Not Because He Feels Sorry for Them.

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

The US is sending Syrian asylees back. Syria isn’t ready.

By
Diana Rayes 

The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status programs crates a troubling global precedent.

Migration
Syria

El-Gamal in the Washington Post: Trump Should Let Syrian Refugees in. But Not Because He Feels Sorry for Them.

MENASource
May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By
Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity
Inclusive Growth

El-Gamal in the Washington Post: Trump Should Let Syrian Refugees in. But Not Because He Feels Sorry for Them.

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

Programs

Syria Project

The Syria Project advances policy engagement and international partnerships during a pivotal political transition. It serves as a leading platform for independent analysis and high-level dialogue on US-Syria relations, economic recovery, governance, and regional reintegration, leveraging deep networks across Washington, Damascus, and the broader Middle East.

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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

Apr 11, 2017

El-Gamal in the Washington Post: Trump Should Let Syrian Refugees in. But Not Because He Feels Sorry for Them.

By Jasmine El-Gamal

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Apr 11, 2017

Farkas Quoted by BuzzFeed News on Russia’s Steady Relationship with Iran and Syria

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here.

Iran Russia

SyriaSource

Apr 11, 2017

Victims of the Syrian War to President Trump: “Stop the War”

By Saleem al-Omar

After the US missile strike, many members of the Syrian opposition conveyed their support for the strike and their hope that the United States continues with more. Their statements send a clear message to President Bashar al-Assad that the most important thing to them is ending the war and their suffering.

Syria

In the News

Apr 10, 2017

Hof Quoted by USA Today on Tillerson’s Visit to Moscow and Russia-Syria Relations

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

In the News

Apr 10, 2017

Ashooh Quoted by WJLA on the Trump Administration’s Syria Strategy

By Jessica Ashooh

Read the full article here.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2017

US Strike in Syria Unlikely to Provoke Russian Response

While Russia was “probably surprised” by the US missile strike on a Syrian air base, it is unlikely that the Kremlin will respond with escalatory force, according to a former deputy secretary general of NATO. “They’re surprised, but I don’t necessarily think their reaction will be to escalate the situation,” said Alexander Vershbow, who now […]

Russia Syria

In the News

Apr 10, 2017

Hof Quoted by the Atlantic on Assad’s Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Apr 9, 2017

Hof Quoted by the New York Times on President Obama’s Chemical Weapons Deal with Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Apr 9, 2017

Herbst Quoted by VOA on Russia’s Reaction to US Air Strike on Syria

By John E. Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

In the News

Apr 8, 2017

Itani Quoted by Arab News on the Trump Administration’s Decision to Strike Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wa’el 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
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