Syria

Economic Sanctions
Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Conflict
Crisis Management

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow

Arabic
English

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Former fellow

Hind Kabawat

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes

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

Arabic
Civil Society

Past events

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

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

SyriaSource

Mar 28, 2016

On the Capture of Palmyra

By Frederic C. Hof

News that Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) armed elements have been driven from Palmyra is welcome, irrespective of the circumstances. No doubt Russian air assaults in support of foreign fighter and Assad regime ground forces produced unnecessary civilian casualties. But driving barbarians from this UNESCO World Heritage site is welcome news.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 28, 2016

Altering the Past to Shape the Prologue

By Frederic C. Hof

Misleading commentary by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov aimed at rewriting history and the failure of his American counterpart to correct the record may indicate an evolving Russian-American understanding that the stated purpose of Geneva peace negotiations—political transition in Syria—has been overtaken by events. If transition is not the aim of the negotiations, one may […]

Syria

In the News

Mar 27, 2016

Pavel Joins BBC Newshour to Discuss the Syrian Civil Conflict in Palmyra

By Barry Pavel

Barry Pavel joins BBC Newshour to discuss the Syrian Civil Conflict in Palmyra. His interview begins at the 18:30 mark. Listen to the full interview here.

Syria

Bremain vs Brexit

Mar 25, 2016

A Terrorist Attack on NATO’s Doorstep

By Stefano Stefanini

The March 22 terrorist attacks on Brussels—in the heart of the European Union’s citadel—are an attack on all of Europe. Belgium has become a frontline state in a war about which Europe is in denial. The European Union, established to prevent war from ever again breaking out in Europe, is loath to call the terrorist […]

European Union International Organizations

SyriaSource

Mar 25, 2016

Top News: March 25, 2016

By SyriaSource

– North Korea troops in Syria to help Assad– Fighting against ISIS rages in central Syrian town of Palmyra– ‘No Drama, No Walkouts’ and no progress in Syria peace talks– PKK attack on military station kills three soldiers– Russia to “unfreeze” relations with Turkey if takes responsibility

Syria

MENASource

Mar 25, 2016

Is ISIS Decentralizing?

By Mona Alami

Judging from the Islamic State’s (ISIS or ISIL) recent killing spree, the terrorist organization has demonstrated its ability to maintain it operational capacity to target the West. This week’s coordinated attacks in Brussels claimed by ISIS resulted in over 31 deaths and 200 injured attacks, taking place against the backdrop of threats by the organization […]

Iraq Syria

SyriaSource

Locals in Idlib Take on the Nusra Front

By Ali Melhem

There’s growing hostility between al-Qaida’s branch in Syria and the locals of Idlib. After attempting to disrupt popular protests in the streets of Maarat al-Numan last week, the insurgent group then pushed a popular branch of the Free Syrian Army out of town

Syria

Report

The Kremlin’s actions in Syria: Origins, timing, and prospects

By Frederic C. Hof, Vladislav Inozemtsev, Adam Garfinkle, Dennis Ross

Resolution to the conflict in Syria requires an understanding of the Russian intervention, involvement, and interest therein. Putin’s interest in regaining the “influence that the Soviet Union once enjoyed in the Middle East” shapes how the West must engage Russia, as Ambassador John E. Herbst highlights in The Kremlin’s Actions in Syria, a new report […]

Arms Control Conflict

Bremain vs Brexit

Europe’s Big Challenge: Alienated Populations + ISIS

By Mitch Hulse

Terrorist attacks against the West will continue as long as Europe fails to integrate Muslim communities into its fold and organizations like the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham maintain their ideological stranglehold over these disaffected communities, according to senior fellows at the Atlantic Council. “These attacks are going to continue as long as two […]

Syria Western Europe

New Atlanticist

Europe Must Respond Strategically to Brussels Attacks

By H.A. Hellyer

Foreigners in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) might have ordered the attacks on Brussels, but the perpetrators apparently were all Europeans. At least thirty-four people were killed and more than 250 wounded on March 22—the numbers are still being counted. Brussels has just faced its own equivalent of London’s July 7 […]

Syria Western Europe

Experts

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Syria Community Liaison Consultant

Arabic Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Mohamad Katoub

Civil Society Human Rights

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic English

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Active affiliation

Reem Salahi