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

SyriaSource

Apr 20, 2016

Political & Military Control: The Siege of Deir Ezzor

By Justice for Life Observatory in Deir Ezzor

In January 2015, the Islamic State (ISIS) imposed a siege on the regime controlled parts of the city, which are some of the western neighborhoods and the military airport adjacent to them, after it drove out the moderate and Islamist opposition groups. ISIS’s siege on regime-controlled Deir Ezzor is in its sixteenth month, and constitutes […]

Syria

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: Mideast Peace Takes a Back Seat in Race to White House

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

Higgins Quoted by Wired on Google’s New YouTube Analysis App

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

At What Point is a Cessation of Hostilities Broken?

By Faysal Itani and Hossam Abouzahr

For several weeks, the cessation of hostilities (COH) in Syria led to a significant and widespread decline in violence. This gave the impression that parties to the Syrian conflict and their foreign sponsors had somehow reached a lasting ceasefire, against all odds. In truth, however, and quite apart from the expected sporadic violations, serious fighting […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

The Golan Heights: Israeli Forever?

By Frederic C. Hof

On April 17, 2016 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “The time has come after 40 years for the international community to finally recognize that the Golan Heights will remain forever under Israeli sovereignty.…The Golan Heights will always stay in Israeli hands. Israel will never leave the Golan Heights.” Although similar statements by Israeli leaders […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

#5YearsWeFled: Smuggler’s Discount on Our Lives

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

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

Norway’s Foreign Minister: Migrant Crisis Underscores Need to Prevent Fragile States Turning into Failed States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The migrant crisis straining Europe and security challenges in North Africa and the Middle East have made it imperative for a concerted effort to prevent fragile states from becoming failed states, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Børge Brende, said on April 14. “Never before has security and prosperity in Europe depended so much on security and prosperity […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2016

‘Accountability and Transitional Justice’ Seen Key to Sustained Peace in Syria

By Sarah Wildi

The solution to the situation in Syria should include a comprehensive process for accountability and transitional justice, according to Mazen Darwish, President of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression. Darwish spoke at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East on April 15. Mirette Mabrouk, Acting […]

Syria

Webcasts

Apr 15, 2016

Freedom of Expression in Syria: A Discussion with Mazen Darwish

HhdemGyUD4Q

Syria

In the News

Apr 15, 2016

Orient News Features Mazen Darwish at the Atlantic Council on Freedom of Expression in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Syria

Experts