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

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2016

Iran, Syria, Russia Seen as Top Challenges in the Middle East

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Iran, Syria, and Russia together pose the biggest challenge in the Middle East today, and any notion that there can be an alignment of the interests of Tehran and Washington is unrealistic, three former US officials said at the Atlantic Council on February 16. “We have an Iran-Syria-Russia problem right now in the Middle East,” […]

Iran Iraq

In the News

Feb 17, 2016

Stein & Itani Quoted by Now Media News on Kurdish Involvement in Syrian Conflict

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Feb 17, 2016

Top News: February 17, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria allows humanitarian aid into seven besieged areasUNSC criticizes Turkey’s strikes in northern SyriaRussia and United States to meet on Syria ceasefire this weekAt least 15 civilians dead in Syria coalition air raidsDeputy PM says Turkey wants secure zone 10 km within Syria

Syria

In the News

Feb 17, 2016

Hof Quoted by Los Angeles Times on Sieges in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 17, 2016

What would Capturing al-Shaddadi from ISIS require?

By Mecid Mohamed

The Islamic State (ISIS) controls a city, al-Shaddadi, in the Hasaka province along the Syrian-Iraqi border which links to its territories in Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the town of al-Hawl, in eastern Hasaka near the Syrian-Iraqi border, on November 13, 2015. This opens the way for the SDF to […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 17, 2016

Washington and Moscow: A Secret Handshake?

By Frederic C. Hof

In the midst of a Russian military offensive, a suspended peace conference, and an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, the idea that all of this unfolds in accordance with a secret understanding between Moscow and Washington finds fertile soil in which to take root. It is probably by now an article of faith among most, if not […]

Syria

UkraineAlert

Feb 16, 2016

How to Reverse Putin’s Damage in Syria

By John E. Herbst

Moscow’s operation in Syria was designed to shore up the Assad regime, its long-time ally in the Middle East, from falling to various opposition forces, whose strongest elements were the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), the al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front, and other extremist Sunni groups. Over time this intervention has also given […]

Russia Syria

In the News

Feb 16, 2016

Stein Quoted by Agence-France Presse on Turkey’s Call for a Ground Operation with Allies to End the War in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Feb 16, 2016

Top News: February 16, 2016

By SyriaSource

Missiles in Syria kill 50 as schools and hospitals hitKurdish-led forces seize rebel town in AleppoRussian strategists play big role in SyriaMerkel backs no-fly zone in SyriaTurkey seeks allies’ support for ground operationTurkish media say Saudi Arabia, Turkey may strike in Syria

Syria

In the News

Feb 16, 2016

Hof in Huffington Post: Plan B for Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

Experts