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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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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

SyriaSource

May 13, 2016

Is a Deal Cooking?

By Frederic C. Hof

Senior officials of countries very closely allied to the United States are registering with a variety of contacts their concern that Secretary of State John Kerry is “rushing into a deal” that would accept the Russian interpretation of the Syrian transitional governing body mandated by the June 30, 2012 Geneva Final Communiqué. Moscow wants the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

May 13, 2016

An Unexpected Opposition Victory in South Aleppo

By Saleem al-Omar

Despite Russian aerial support for Syrian regime forces, Jaysh al-Fatah has scored an unexpected victory over the Syrian regime and the Iranian militias supporting it. The opposition coalition Jaysh al-Fatah took Khan Tuman, a village located on the highway connecting Aleppo and Damascus. Syrians hope this victory marks a resurgence of Jaysh al-Fatah from a […]

Syria

SyriaSource

May 12, 2016

Fighting ISIS and the Regime with Renewable Energy

By Amr al-Faham

All parties in the Syrian conflict have used siege tactics to destroy infrastructure and force opponents into submission; a tactic predominantly used by the regime and its allies. Meanwhile, civilians in besieged areas struggle to find alternatives sources for essential services such as waste disposal, potable water, and electricity. With the support of local opposition […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

May 11, 2016

Chuck Hagel to Next US President: Talk to Putin

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former Defense Secretary warns against ‘Cold War buildup’ as NATO deploys in Europe’s eastern flank As it ramps up its troop presence in Europe’s eastern flank, NATO must be careful not to get embroiled in a “Cold War buildup” with Russia, and the next US president must make it a priority to engage directly with […]

NATO Russia

MENASource

May 10, 2016

In Jarablus, a Chance for a Better Turkish Policy against ISIS

By Faysal Itani and Aaron Stein

The Turkish government is the most important external, pro-opposition actor in northern Syria. It will remain involved in the Syrian conflict despite concurrent political instability within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Yet the war has undermined US-Turkish relations, due in large part to disagreement over the strategy to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), […]

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

May 10, 2016

Iran Deal Fuels Syria’s War

By Omar Hossino and Suhayla Sibaai

In 2015, President Obama announced the framework for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more commonly known as the Iran deal. Obama claimed that a deal would make Iran “operate in a responsible fashion.” Obama’s adviser Ben Rhodes said that the deal would “produce an evolution in Iran’s behavior” and ran a sophisticated media campaign […]

Syria

In the News

May 10, 2016

Hof Joins NPR to Discuss Russian Air Strikes in Syria

By Fred Hof

Listen to the full interview here.

Russia Syria

Experts