Recent analysis

Saab and Blanford in World Politics Review: Will Syria Be Hezbollah’s Proving Ground, or Its Undoing?

New Atlanticist
Dec 17, 2024

Dispatch from Damascus: Celebrations and concerns as a new Syria takes shape

By
Ömer Özkizilcik

Syrians in Damascus are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, but that joy is mixed with concern for how the country’s new leaders will govern.

Conflict
Crisis Management

Saab and Blanford in World Politics Review: Will Syria Be Hezbollah’s Proving Ground, or Its Undoing?

MENASource
Jun 20, 2025

On World Refugee Day, complexities persist for Syrian returnees

By
Sinan Hatahet

While Syria’s political shift brings new hope, it also highlights the complex realities that still define the Syrian landscape.

Middle East
Migration

Saab and Blanford in World Politics Review: Will Syria Be Hezbollah’s Proving Ground, or Its Undoing?

MENASource
Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By
Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.

Middle East
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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.

LEARN MORE

Featured experts

Former fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions
Entrepreneurship

Fellow


Michel Duclos


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict
Crisis Management

Fellow


Arwa Damon


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Former fellow


Hind Kabawat


Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Diana Rayes 


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Past events

Online Event
Thu, December 19, 2024 • 12:30 pm ET

Putin loses in Syria. Is Russia in retreat?

Conflict
Europe & Eurasia
Middle East
Russia

Online Event
Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria

Conflict
Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business
Financial Regulation


Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By
JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society
Conflict

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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

In the News

Jul 26, 2016

Saab and Blanford in World Politics Review: Will Syria Be Hezbollah’s Proving Ground, or Its Undoing?

By Bilal Saab and Nicholas Blanford

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 25, 2016

Besieged Syrians Defy Hunger and Death with Makeshift Innovations

By Hosam al-Jablawi

Thousands of Syrians in besieged areas across the country from all sides of the conflict fight daily to secure a livelihood and fulfill their basic needs using makeshift means, some which stand out for their spirit of innovation. Whereas some fortunate areas have been able to overcome the blockade through autonomous production initiatives and establishing […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 25, 2016

Sowing Hope and Weeding Out Siege Profiteers

By Annia Ciezadlo

BEIRUT – In Madaya, a mountain village nestled between Damascus and the Syrian-Lebanese border, windowsills used to blossom with roses, jasmine, and the scented geraniums that people might once have used to flavor a delicate syrup for sweets. But now, instead of flowers, the windows are overflowing with cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini.

Syria

In the News

Jul 22, 2016

Hof in Defense News: Washington and Moscow: Together on Syria?

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 20, 2016

How Do Civilians Teach Their Children in ISIS-held Deir Ezzor?

By Justice for Life Observatory in Deir Ezzor

ISIS established its education system in Deir Ezzor to supplement its forces with young male fighters who are imbued with its extremist ideology. However, civilians in Deir Ezzor have found ways to counter the education system imposed upon their children by ISIS. Teachers, parents, and students have adopted ruses that embody the spirit of non-violent […]

Syria

UkraineAlert

Jul 20, 2016

Turkey: Another US Intelligence Failure

By Stephen Blank

A less-well known but vital outcome of NATO’s Warsaw summit was the Alliance’s decision to create an intelligence and security division from among its existing organizations. This move is long overdue. There is a plethora of threats facing Europe and the United States, and yet the West has a record of intelligence failures that has […]

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 19, 2016

Why the New Syrian Army failed to Defeat ISIS in al-Bukamal

By Abdullah al-Ghadawi

The New Syrian Army (NSyA), a US-supported armed group focused on fighting the Islamic State, gave a free victory to ISIS in al-Bukamal, a city on the Syrian-Iraqi border. ISIS needed this victory to raise its fighters’ morale, which has been low after the armed group has faced continuous losses in Syria and Iraq. Their […]

Syria

MENASource

Jul 18, 2016

A Middle East Agenda for Hillary Clinton

By Nabeel Khoury

As Hillary Clinton emerges as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2016 presidential elections after an endorsement by rival Bernie Sanders, challenges loom ahead, both as policy issues and as strategies that need to be planned for when a potential presidential term begins.

Iraq Israel
Gen. Edward Cardon, commander of U.S. Army Cyber Command and Second Army, April 21, 2016 (photo: David Vergun/US Army)

NATOSource

Jul 15, 2016

Pentagon Publicly Acknowledges its First Major Offensive Cyber Campaign

By Ellen Nakashima and Missy Ryan, Washington Post

An unprecedented Pentagon cyber-offensive against the Islamic State has gotten off to a slow start, officials said

Cybersecurity Iraq

New Atlanticist

Jul 15, 2016

US-Russia Cooperation on Syria Seen as Catalyst for Syrian Conflict Resolution

By Julia Goldman

Reports of newfound military cooperation between Russia and the United States to resolve Syrian conflict are welcomed with caution by Syrian negotiation committees. “The hope is there may be serious cooperation at the highest level to finally address the Syrian situation in a serious way and at the level that is required,” said Bassama Kodmani, […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management
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