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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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Content

SyriaSource

Sep 28, 2016

Obama Gives Free Rein to Assad and Putin

By Mona Alami

In the past eight days alone, over 1,000 people were killed in Aleppo as Russian aircraft bombarded the city. Russia and the Assad regime’s fresh offensive on the country’s former economic center signals its intent to maximize gains in Syria before the next US presidential elections and its belief that victory is within reach.

Syria

In the News

Sep 28, 2016

Hof Quoted by Agence France-Presse on the US-Russia Relationship

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 28, 2016

Hof Quoted by Los Angeles Times on the Use of “Bunker-Buster” Bombs in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sep 28, 2016

Ashooh Joins KQED to Discuss America’s Role in Syria

By Jessica Ashooh

Listen to the full interview here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 28, 2016

Syrian Rebels Issue Opposing Fatwas as the Regime Destroys Aleppo

By Saleem al-Omar

Following the recent Turkish Euphrates Shield operation on Syrian territory against the Islamic State (ISIS), Syrian opposition groups issued several Fatwas (religious rulings) in support of joining operations under Turkish command. The underlying argument behind the fatwas is where opposition fighters should be deployed: fighting to defend Aleppo city, or supporting the Turkish operation further […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 28, 2016

Itani Quoted by Washington Post on an Apparently Errant Strike in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria
SyriaWhiteHelmetsFeature

New Atlanticist

Sep 27, 2016

Waiting for Death in Aleppo

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Any hope of reviving a US- and Russian-backed ceasefire agreement in Syria may have been dashed by the air and ground offensives unleashed by the Syrian regime on the rebel-held parts of the western city of Aleppo. Backed by Russia, the Syrian military has launched a “ferocious” attack on Aleppo using bunker-busting bombs and outlawed […]

Syria

Event Recap

Sep 27, 2016

Saving Syrians: A Discussion with Raed al-Saleh, Head of the White Helmets

By Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

On September 27, 2016 the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a discussion on the conditions in northern Syria and the work of the Syria Civil Defense, or “White Helmets. Ambassador Frederic C. Hof, director of the Hariri Center, moderated a discussion with the head of the White Helmets Raed al-Saleh, […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 27, 2016

Refugee Victims’ Families Still Search for Answers and Solutions

By Jiwan Soz

In August of last year, 71 refugees (59 men, 8 women, and 4 children) from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan traveling from Hungary to Austria were found dead in a truck on the side of the road. The incident was covered briefly in the news and quickly forgotten, but for the victims’ families, who are still […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 27, 2016

Herbst Quoted by Rudaw on Assessing the Russian Intervention in Syria

By John E. Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

Experts