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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.

Content

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

SyriaSource

Jan 6, 2017

The Consequences of Merger Talks among Syrian Rebels

By Haid Haid

The internal divisions among rebel groups in eastern Aleppo and their infighting during the recent Syrian regime’s offensive led to a poor military performance and helped the latter to recapture the rest of the city. Protests erupted, as a result, in many opposition-held areas, condemning rebels’ mistakes and demanding them to unite. Many rebel fighters […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 6, 2017

Ceasefire in Syria: Good News?

By Frederic C. Hof

Turkey and Russia are struggling to sustain a Syrian ceasefire. The Assad regime and a range of nationalist, Turkish-supported rebel organizations are supposed to stop shooting. Excluded from the terms are Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly the Nusra Front), the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), and Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh). If the ceasefire somehow takes […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2017

ISIS Puts Turkey in its Crosshairs

By Rachel Ansley

Though Turkey’s engagement in the war in Syria has resulted in a series of attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) over the course of the past year, the most recent attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on New Year’s Day will only harden the Turkish government’s resolve to defeat the Islamist […]

Syria
Turkey

SyriaSource

Jan 3, 2017

The United Nation’s Failure is Not de Mistura’s Fault

By Daniel R. DePetris

On December 19, the United Nations Security Council managed to do something on Syria that it has rarely been able to do over the past six years: pass a binding resolution with the unanimous support of all five permanent members.  Indeed, the Security Council has been so deadlocked over the Syria question that even a […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 3, 2017

Advising Trump on Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The incoming president and his national security team suffer no shortage of free advice on a full range of national security and foreign policy issues. Syria is no exception. Prospective senior officials are sipping from the proverbial fire hose preparing for January 20th. What do they need to know now, especially in the wake of […]

Syria

In the News

Dec 27, 2016

Alami in Middle East Eye: Aleppo Defeat Exposes Divisions within Ranks of Ex-Nusra Front

By Mona Alami

Alami in Middle East Eye: Aleppo Defeat Exposes Divisions within Ranks of Ex-Nusra Front

Syria

Experts