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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.


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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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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.

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In the News

Mar 18, 2017

Itani Quoted by the National on ISIS and Deir Ezzor

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 17, 2017

The Side Conflict to the Liberation of Raqqa

By Feras Hanoush

Statements from American officials about the possibility of an increase in US military presence in Syria escalated with talks of increasing special operations forces, fighter jets, and supplies for local combat forces. This comes as battles surrounding the city of Raqqa, the capital of the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh), draw closer. Reports indicate […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 17, 2017

Six Years

By Frederic C. Hof

Six years ago, I was in the US State Department, serving as a deputy to Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell. Having met in late February and early March 2011 with President Bashar al-Assad and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu respectively, I was advancing a Syrian-Israeli peace mediation that was gaining momentum and showing […]

Syria

In the News

Mar 17, 2017

Stein Interviewed by the Cipher Brief on the Syrian Conflict in Raqqa

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Mar 17, 2017

Stein Quoted by the Cipher Brief on the Syrian Conflict in Raqqa

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 16, 2017

The Unavoidable Reality of the Geneva Process

By Daniel DePetris

Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, was blunt in his remarks on February 23, 2016 during the first day of renewed Syrian peace talks in ten months. Sitting between the Syrian government delegation and the group of opposition politicians under the High Negotiations Committee, de Mistura implored the parties to start exhibiting […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 16, 2017

Syrians Anxiously Follow the Case of the Pilot Held “Captive” in Turkey

By Saleem al-Omar

The events surrounding Mohammed Soufan, a Syrian regime military pilot who was hospitalized in Turkey, shed light on the changing position of Turkey on the Syrian war. Soufan was released from a hospital in the city of Antakya following a week of treatment. The Turkish government transferred him to an undisclosed location, out of fear […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 16, 2017

Analysis: ‘Safe Zone’ on Lebanon Border Would Benefit Hezbollah, Iran

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

OTTAWA, CANADA – On February 3, Lebanese president Michel Aoun called on the international community to establish a safe zone on the Syria-Lebanon border. A political ally of Hezbollah, Aoun said world powers must work with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to set up the proposed zone and facilitate the return of more than 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Syria

In the News

Mar 15, 2017

Stein Quoted by The New Arab on Turkish Military Intervention in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Mar 15, 2017

The Effects of Suspending American Aid to Moderate Syrian Opposition Groups

By Hosam al-Jablawi

Multiple sources within moderate Syrian opposition groups have confirmed that the CIA has stopped supervising the distribution of logistical and military assistance to groups within the Free Army in northern Syria. According to these sources, fighters in these Syrian opposition groups who oppose Assad’s rule, and who receive salaries from the operations room known as […]

Syria

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