Recent analysis

With the Middle East in Turmoil, Japan Looks to Diversify its Energy Options

New Atlanticist
Dec 17, 2024

Dispatch from Damascus: Celebrations and concerns as a new Syria takes shape

By
Ömer Özkizilcik

Syrians in Damascus are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, but that joy is mixed with concern for how the country’s new leaders will govern.

Conflict
Crisis Management

With the Middle East in Turmoil, Japan Looks to Diversify its Energy Options

MENASource
Jun 20, 2025

On World Refugee Day, complexities persist for Syrian returnees

By
Sinan Hatahet

While Syria’s political shift brings new hope, it also highlights the complex realities that still define the Syrian landscape.

Middle East
Migration

With the Middle East in Turmoil, Japan Looks to Diversify its Energy Options

MENASource
Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By
Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.

Middle East
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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

Former fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions
Entrepreneurship

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

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

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

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

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2016

With the Middle East in Turmoil, Japan Looks to Diversify its Energy Options

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Spurred into action by the instability in the Middle East—its predominant source of crude oil—Japan is actively looking outside the region to diversify its energy options and enhance its own renewable energy production capabilities. Japan imports about eighty percent of its crude oil and around thirty percent of its liquefied natural gas from the Middle […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Barack Obama, June 18, 2012

NATOSource

Mar 10, 2016

Obama Does Not Believe Invading Ukraine or Saving Assad Makes Putin ‘a Player’

By Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic

He [President Barack Obama] described a relationship with Putin that doesn’t quite conform to common perceptions.

Russia Syria
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and President Barack Obama, Sept. 28, 2015

NATOSource

Mar 10, 2016

Obama Sees Ukraine as Putin’s Client State

By Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic

Russia’s invasion of Crimea in early 2014, and its decision to use force to buttress the rule of its client Bashar al-Assad, have been cited by Obama’s critics as proof that the post-red-line world no longer fears America.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 10, 2016

Top News: March 10, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syria opposition sees fewer truce breaches, UN prepares talks– Insurgents in Syria attack government positions in Hama– ISIS commander still alive, but badly wounded after US strike– Syria’s domestic opposition to boycott parliamentary vote– Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of aiding sarin gas delivery to rebels

Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2016

Turkey’s Demands Could Destroy Migrant Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell predicts political opposition in Europe A preliminary deal struck between the European Union and Turkey to shut Europe’s backdoor to migrants fleeing across the Aegean Sea could likely crumble under the burden of Turkey’s demands, said the Atlantic Council’s Fran Burwell. “There are a whole bunch of questions about this deal […]

European Union International Organizations

SyriaSource

Mar 9, 2016

Top News: March 9, 2016

By SyriaSource

– US says air strike likely killed a top ISIS military commander in Syria– UN sees no halt in Syria truce, talks to run to March 24– US military said to need a boost in fight against ISIS, requests restart of train and equip– Turkey ends sweep in Kurdish town of Idil, says 114 militants […]

Syria

In the News

Mar 9, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: Turkey, Russia Use Syria Refugees to Blackmail European Union

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 8, 2016

Protests Sweep Across Syria During Ceasefire

By Saleem al-Omar

Anti-Assad protests are back all over Syria as the second week of the ceasefire starts. The opposition territories saw more than 100 protests, with protestors waving revolution flags and calling for freedom. The largest numbers of protests was in Idlib province, where Friday witnessed protests across province. The southern city of Busra al-Harir also saw […]

Syria

In the News

Mar 8, 2016

Cohen Joins BBC to Discuss Russia’s Strategy on the Ceasefire in Syria

By Ariel Cohen

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 7, 2016

Top News: March 7, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syrian opposition to attend Geneva peace talks– Syrians use truce to resume Friday protests– Syrian rebels take border crossing from ISIS– EU migration summit looks to Turkey to stem influx– Turkish president suggests building refugee city in northern Syria– Seized Turkish newspaper adopts pro-government line, receives international condemnation

Syria
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

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
Load More