Featured reading

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

Leadership

Fellows

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.

Sign up for all the latest updates!

Sign up for the MENASource newsletter, highlighting pieces that follow democratic transitions and economic changes throughout the region.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


Content

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2016

A ‘Shortsighted’ US Embrace

By Ashish Kumar Sen

For Obama administration, anti-terrorism agenda comes at the cost of human rights when picking partners, says Human Rights Watch’s Kenneth Roth The Obama administration has, in the conduct of its war against terrorism, embraced a “shortsighted” approach that sets aside a democratic agenda and overlooks human rights abuses committed by some of its closest allies […]

North Africa Saudi Arabia
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nov. 26, 2015

NATOSource

May 19, 2016

Vladimir Putin’s Dangerous Obsession

By Editorial Board, New York Times

Syria is just one arena where Mr. Putin’s obsessive quest to make Russia great again has fueled instability and reawakened political suspicions and animosities that faded after the fall of the Soviet Union.

NATO Russia

In the News

May 19, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: United States and Turkey Clash Over ISIS Lifeline to Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

In the News

May 18, 2016

Younis Quoted by Voice of America on Efforts to End the Conflict in Syria

By Nussaibah Younis

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

May 18, 2016

Saab Quoted by The National on Hezbollah’s Intervention in Syria

By Bilal Saab

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

May 17, 2016

Itani Quoted by Bloomberg on Syrian Peace Accords

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

May 16, 2016

Blanford in Now: Takfiri Culprits

By Nicholas Blanford

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

May 16, 2016

#5YearsWeFled: From Border to Border

By Ayman Jalwan

This series is from interviews with the lawyer Ayman Jalwan. It highlights the difficult choice that Syrians face—dying in the war zone that Syria had become, or flee the land he loved. Last year, he and his wife said goodbye to their families and joined the wave of citizens leaving the country. First they had […]

Syria

MENASource

May 16, 2016

A Global Resettlement Scheme for Refugees in the EU

By Solon Ardittis

On May 4, 2016, the European Commission (EC) presented a draft regulation intended to overhaul the existing Dublin Regulation that has dictated the asylum application system in Europe for the past 20 years. By introducing a “fairness mechanism,” the idea was to establish a new system that imbibes solidarity among the EU member states.

European Union International Organizations

SyriaSource

May 16, 2016

One Fighter’s Recruitment – and Escape – from ISIS

By Yasser Allawi and Jalal Zein al-Deen

As ISIS swept over large swathes of the eastern province, former FSA fighter Abu Khadija pledged his allegiance, believing the extremists were his best bet to topple the Assad government. Now, after escaping, he wishes he could take it all back. In most ways, Abu Khadija, a 39-year-old Syrian, is not remarkable. He used to making […]

Syria

Experts