Featured reading

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

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

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

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

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

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

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

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

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

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.

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Featured experts

Leadership

Former fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Former 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

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

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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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

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Content

In the News

Feb 20, 2016

Itani Quoted by BuzzFeed on US and Kurdish Involvement in Syria Conflict

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, June 13, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 20, 2016

NATO Concerned over Possible Russia-Turkey Hostilities

By Spiegel

In Syria, the danger of a war between Turkey and Russia is on the rise

Germany NATO

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

From Analysis to Action

By Frederic C. Hof

Those who think that President Barack Obama does not understand the crisis in Syria ought to read his remarks to the press at the US-ASEAN press conference in Rancho Mirage, California on February 16. Apologists for Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian and Russian enablers will not like the way the president parses the problem. The […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

Top News: February 19, 2016

By SyriaSource

US and Russia hold talks on Syria ceasefire ahead of UN meetingUN Syria envoy says February 25 resumption of talks not realisticPentagon asked Russia to avoid Syrian areas with US commandosMedia rights group calls on Turkey to release Syrian journalistRussia warns Assad on vow to retake all of SyriaEU to hold migration summit with Turkey […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 19, 2016

Stein Joins Voice of America to Discuss the Conflict in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Listen to the full discussion here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s Options in Syria are Narrowing

By Faysal Itani

Lately, the high geopolitics of events in Aleppo have rightly received a great deal of attention. Yet, while observers try to divine the great power intentions of the United States and Russia from diplomatic maneuvers and statements, local developments can be a better gauge of international intentions. This week, a new rebel coalition formed in […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 19, 2016

Hof Quoted by Syria Deeply on the Significance of Aleppo

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 18, 2016

The Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Aleppo

By S. Keleşoğlu

The recent regime advances in northern Syria have caused a new wave of people to head for Turkey seeking refuge from the fighting. However, the political maneuvering is worsening the humanitarian situation for Syrians in northern Aleppo. Turkey has begun building camps inside of Syria for those fleeing the violence in northern Aleppo, but this […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 18, 2016

Stein Quoted by DPA International on Kurdish Military Involvement in Syria and Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Feb 18, 2016

Top News: February 18, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria rebels cross from Turkey to join Aleppo battlesAid deliveries begin to five besieged Syrian townsMSF seeks independent probe into bombing of Syria hospitalCar bomb strikes military convoy in Ankara; Turkey blames Syrian Kurdish militants

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident senior fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident senior fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

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
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