Featured reading

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

New Atlanticist
Dec 8, 2024

Experts react: Rebels have toppled the Assad regime. What’s next for Syria, the Middle East, and the world?

By
Atlantic Council experts

Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been ousted as opposition forces quickly took the Syrian capital. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the developments.

Conflict
Corruption

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

Fast Thinking
Dec 8, 2024

Assad has fallen. Now what?

By
Atlantic Council

The power shift in Syria will reverberate across the Middle East and the world. Our experts explain what’s next.

Conflict
Iran

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

New Atlanticist
Dec 9, 2024

Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

By
Jonathan Panikoff

In just six months, Iran has slid from a position of strength to perhaps the weakest it has been since 1979.

Conflict
Iran

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

MENASource
Dec 10, 2024

Where Syria goes next after the fall of Assad

By
Frederic C. Hof

With the Assad family agone, Syria, at long last, has a chance to achieve the kind of political transition envisioned by the 2012 Geneva Final Communique and UNSCR 2254.

Conflict
Middle East

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

New Atlanticist
Dec 10, 2024

A blueprint for bringing about a new Syria

By
Kirsten Fontenrose

For a reconstruction strategy in Syria to be effective, all parties must adopt a unified approach that is clear-eyed about the country’s new leaders.

Crisis Management
International Organizations

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.

LEARN MORE

Featured experts

Leadership

Fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions
Entrepreneurship

Fellows

Fellow


Michel Duclos


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict
Crisis Management

Fellow


Arwa Damon


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Former fellow


Hind Kabawat


Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Diana Rayes 


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Past events

Public Event
Mon, March 18, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

The Syria Strategy Project: A public launch

Civil Society
Conflict
Freedom and Prosperity
Human Rights

Online Event
Mon, February 12, 2024 • 12:00 pm ET

One year on: Assessing the February 6th earthquake response in Syria

Civil Society
Economy & Business
Human Rights
International Organizations

Online Event
Fri, May 31, 2024 • 9:30 am ET

Serving communities with disability in conflict contexts

Civil Society
Conflict
Crisis Management
Human Rights

Load 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

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

Mar 18, 2016

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

By Faysal Itani

Shortly after Russia announced it would withdraw most of its forces from Syria, the first Russian military aircraft left Hmeimim air base. This was quite abrupt and unexpected but it was not shocking, nor did it indicate that Russian fortunes and commitment in Syria have collapsed. More likely, the withdrawal shows Russia’s sufficient if incomplete […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 18, 2016

Behind the Russian Withdrawal

By Daniel R. DePetris

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he would begin a withdrawal of military assets from Syria caught nearly every observer of the conflict by surprise—even close military advisers in the Kremlin. After six months of bombing, over 9,000 strike sorties, and the deployment of approximately 4,000 Russian personnel, Putin’s declaration of “mission accomplished” is a […]

Syria

In the News

Mar 18, 2016

Slavin Joins VOA News to Discuss Russia’s Partial Withdrawal from Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Listen to the full story here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 17, 2016

Putin and Assad: Is There a Split?

By Frederic C. Hof

Speculation abounds on the relationship between Moscow’s military drawdown announcement and the state of bilateral relations between Russia and Syria’s Assad regime. Does the Russian move indicate a split between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad? If there is a split, is it strategic or tactical? If these parties are diverging, what are the implications […]

Syria

MENASource

Mar 17, 2016

Can Turkey’s Economy Endure a Syria Intervention?

By M. Hande Akmehmet

Ankara risks not only diplomatic ties, but also economic ties with its neighbors and the rest of the world as it moves further away from its “zero problems with neighbors” foreign policy. Turkey’s economy and budget have been squeezed by the high priced bill from Ankara’s foreign policy maneuvers.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Mar 17, 2016

Stein in Al Jazeera: The Intentions of Syrian Kurds with Self-Administration

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 17, 2016

Top News: March 17, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syrian Kurds declare federal region amid wide criticism– Kurdish group claims responsibility for second Ankara attack– Russia to complete Syria pullout within days– Aid agencies call for full access in Syria as conflict enters sixth year– Japanese journalist Junpei Yasuda missing in Syria, surfaces in video– EU leaders push on with contested Turkey migrant plan

Syria

In the News

Mar 16, 2016

Stein Quoted by Time on the Role of Syrian Kurds in Syrian Peace Talks

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 16, 2016

Top News: March 16, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syrian Kurds say they will declare federal region in Syria– Russia withdraws almost half of Syria strike force– UN envoy to meet pro-Russia Syrian opposition group at talks– Kerry, Putin to discuss Syria as Russia seeks to bolster influence– Denmark’s TV2 channel opens office in Syrian capital

Syria

In the News

Mar 16, 2016

Herbst in The National Interest: The Obama Doctrine and Ukraine

By John E. Herbst

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

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

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society
Load More