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

Hof in Foreign Policy: A Humanitarian Intervention in the West Wing

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

Hof in Foreign Policy: A Humanitarian Intervention in the West Wing

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

Hof in Foreign Policy: A Humanitarian Intervention in the West Wing

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.

LEARN MORE

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

Jun 20, 2016

Hof in Foreign Policy: A Humanitarian Intervention in the West Wing

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Jun 19, 2016

Itani Quoted by AFP on State Department Memo Condemning Obama’s Disentanglement Policy in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 17, 2016

Frederic C. Hof’s Statement on State Department Internal Memo Critical of Obama Administration Policy in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 16, 2016, The New York Times reported that more than fifty State Department diplomats had signed an internal memo critiquing the Obama administration’s Syria policy. The New York Times was provided a draft of the memo, which urges air strikes against the Assad regime in Syria. In response, Ambassador Frederic C. Hof, director of the […]

Syria

Press Release

Jun 17, 2016

Frederic C. Hof’s Statement on State Department Internal Memo Critical of Obama Administration Policy in Syria

By Atlantic Council

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 16, 2016, The New York Times reported that more than fifty State Department diplomats had signed an internal memo critiquing the Obama administration’s Syria policy. The New York Times was provided a draft of the memo, which urges air strikes against the Assad regime in Syria. In response, Ambassador Frederic C. […]

Syria

In the News

Jun 17, 2016

Hof Quoted by Washington Examiner on Obama’s Syria Policy

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Jun 17, 2016

Hof Quoted by New York Times on Kerry’s Opinion of State Department Syria Dissent Letter

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Jun 17, 2016

Hof Quoted by Christian Science Monitor on Open Letter to the Obama Administration on Strategy Towards Syria

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 17, 2016

How Marea Defeated ISIS (Again)

By Zuhour Mahmoud

For the past two years, rebels in the northern Aleppo town of Marea have repeatedly fought off attempts by the so-called Islamic State to take control of the area. Last week saw them successfully break the group’s siege and force it to withdraw.

Syria

In the News

Jun 17, 2016

Itani Joins NPR to Discuss the State Department’s Reaction to Obama’s Syria Policy

By Faysal Itani

Listen to the full interview here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 16, 2016

The Nusra Front’s Impossible Position

By Hasan Arfeh

The city of Maarat al-Num’an in Idlib Province is continuing its revolt against the Syrian regime and extremist groups like the Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s arm in Syria, and Jund al-Aqsa group. The dynamics between Nusra trying to impose control and Sharia law on the city, and the locals resisting it, give insight into the armed […]

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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