Recent analysis

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.

Featured experts

Past events

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.

Content

MENASource

Jan 12, 2017

The Tillerson Hearing: What Was Said about the Middle East

By Elissa Miller and Emily Burchfield

On January 11, President Elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, participated in a marathon nine-hour confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The committee members pressed the former ExxonMobil CEO on a host of issues, including his reported ties to Russia and his views on extremism.

Syria Turkey

Event Recap

Jan 12, 2017

Combating Al-Qaeda in Syria: A Strategy for the Next President

By Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

On Thursday, January 12, 2017 the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a panel discussion on a strategy for the next administration for combating al-Qaeda in Syria. The panel included Jennifer Cafarella, lead intelligence planner at the Institute for the Study of War; Sasha Ghosh Siminoff, president and co-founder of People Demand Change; […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 12, 2017

Escaping from Deir Ezzor

By Emily Burchfield

On December 27, Syrian media group Justice for Life Observatory in Deir Ezzor (JFL) published a report on the challenges facing civilians living in and fleeing from Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh)-occupied areas in Deir Ezzor. In early 2016, the Islamic State seized large swaths of the eastern province, establishing a conduit between the […]

Syria

Defense Industrialist

Jan 11, 2017

“Unleash us from the tether of fuel”

By Greg Douquet

Mattis put his faith in the 3rd Marine Air Wing’s ability to defeat Saddam’s formations surrounding Baghdad, and accepted the risk that his force might not achieve its objectives before running out of fuel. In later testimony, Mattis reflected back on the compromising situation of the “March Up,” as well as on the cost of increased fuel demand during the counter-insurgency efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the future, he stated, the military must be “unleashed from the tether of fuel.” Mattis had seen the future imperative to change our sources of energy for military operations.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jan 10, 2017

Trump’s National Security Advisor Seeks to Reassure Allies

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President-elect Donald Trump’s national security advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, on January 10 sought to reassure US allies of the incoming administration’s commitment to alliances. Flynn said the incoming National Security Council’s mission, guided by Trump’s vision to “make America great again,” will be supported by an overarching policy of “peace through […]

China European Union

SyriaSource

Jan 10, 2017

What’s Behind Labeling the Events in Syria a “Civil War”?

By Hasan Arfeh

Many changes have taken place in the editorial practices of global and Arab media regarding Syria since the start of the 2011 revolution against the regime. But one shift which has become fixed—especially in the West—is describing what is occurring in the country as a civil war. This term began to appear in major international […]

Syria

In the News

Jan 10, 2017

Hof Quoted by Arab News on Syria and Obama’s Middle East Legacy

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 10, 2017

John Kerry Sets the Record Straight

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Secretary of State warns against ‘factless political environment,’ says the United States has been leading US Secretary of State John Kerry on January 10 took a thinly veiled swipe at US President-elect Donald Trump while warning of the perils of living in a “factless political environment” and expressing consternation that the process for nominating officials […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

SyriaSource

Jan 9, 2017

The Water War in Damascus

By Youssef Sadaki

Battles have erupted in recent weeks between regime forces and rebels in the area of Ain al-Fijah and neighboring villages, causing the water pumps and the area’s main Ain al-Fijah water facility to cease operation.

Syria

In the News

Jan 7, 2017

Stein Quoted by the Washington Post on Syrian Conflict

By Aaron Stein

Read full article here.

Syria United States and Canada

Experts