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

Analysis: How Evacuating al-Waer and ‘Other Darayyas’ Will Help Assad

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

Analysis: How Evacuating al-Waer and ‘Other Darayyas’ Will Help Assad

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

Analysis: How Evacuating al-Waer and ‘Other Darayyas’ Will Help Assad

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

SyriaSource

Sep 9, 2016

Analysis: How Evacuating al-Waer and ‘Other Darayyas’ Will Help Assad

By Annia Ciezadlo

BEIRUT – A little girl shakes violently, crying as two men soothe her burned skin with mud, the only first aid they can find. A little boy trembles and screams as adults try to find gauze to put on his burns. Other photos, too horrible to share, show the charred bodies of two-year-old Hamza and seven-month-old […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 8, 2016

Itani Quoted by Bloomberg on the US-Russian Role in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 8, 2016

Mardini Quoted by Los Angeles Times on Negotiations in Syria

By Ramzy Mardini

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sep 8, 2016

Hellyer in The National: Appeasement Isn’t the Solution to Syrian Crisis

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sep 8, 2016

Stein Quoted by BuzzFeed News on Turkey’s Syria Intervention

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Sep 7, 2016

Stein in War on the Rocks: This Is How Turkey’s Incursion into Syria Could Get Bogged Down

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Sep 7, 2016

Education in Idlib: The Kids Aren’t Alright

By Tirwada Abd al-Haqq

There is no effective difference between the Syrian state and some of forces engaged in conflict in Syria, despite the different names which they’ve given themselves: the regime in power, revolutionaries, armed opposition, Islamist factions, and so on. Each is trying to hold the country hostage, and none are blameless when it comes to the […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 6, 2016

Hof Joins NPR to Discuss the Civilian Cost of the Syrian Conflict

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sep 5, 2016

Cohen Joins VOA Russia to Discuss the Crisis in Syria

By Ariel Cohen

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Sep 5, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by The Telegraph on the British Peers and Priests that Met with Assad

By H.A. Hellyer

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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