Syria

Syria

Syria stands at a pivotal juncture as it charts a path following the fall of the Assad regime. Syria’s new government faces the task of rebuilding a shattered economy and establishing state institutions capable of managing a diverse and war-affected population. A durable US-Syria partnership depends on sustained cooperation across reconstruction, governance, and Syria’s reintegration.

Featured commentary & analysis

Hof on Resolution 2254

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

The US is sending Syrian asylees back. Syria isn’t ready.

By
Diana Rayes 

The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status programs crates a troubling global precedent.

Migration
Syria

Hof on Resolution 2254

MENASource
May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By
Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity
Inclusive Growth

Hof on Resolution 2254

MENASource
Feb 20, 2026

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

By
Kurt Davis Jr.

There are lessons from Libya’s fragmentation and collapse that can be applied now as Syria sits at a similar inflection point.

Conflict
Libya

Programs

Syria Project

The Syria Project advances policy engagement and international partnerships during a pivotal political transition. It serves as a leading platform for independent analysis and high-level dialogue on US-Syria relations, economic recovery, governance, and regional reintegration, leveraging deep networks across Washington, Damascus, and the broader Middle East.

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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

In the News

Dec 22, 2015

Hof on Resolution 2254

By Frederic Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof writes for the Huffington Post on next steps for the Syria peace process following UN Security Council Resolution 2254:

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 22, 2015

Top News: December 22, 2015

By SyriaSource

– UN to host next Syria talks end of January in Geneva, plans ‘light’ monitoring of ceasefire– ISIS shelling of Syrian school area kills nine– Turkey’s Davutoglu condemns Russian strikes on Idlib; black box from Russian jet unreadable– Turkey police kill two ‘female terrorists’; Kurdish fighters kill two Turkish soldiers in bomb attack

Syria

In the News

Dec 22, 2015

Itani on ISIS’s Stronghold in Raqqa

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins CNN to discuss ISIS using civilians as shields in the city of Raqqa:  Watch the full interview here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 21, 2015

Deir Ezzor Airport under ISIS Attack and Assad Control

By Justice for Life Observatory in Deir Ezzor

The Islamic State (ISIS) has for the last year besieged regime-controlled areas in Syria’s Deir Ezzor province. ISIS has completely surrounded the regime territory in Deir Ezzor and and has been able to fully blockade the passage of food and trade on the ground, making air transportation—at great cost to the regime—the only medium through […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 21, 2015

Top News: December 21, 2015

By SyriaSource

– UN endorses peace process for Syria; no mention of Assad– Syrian demands halt of Russian air strikes part of truce; HRW reports use of cluster munition– Iraq Defense Minister predicts Ramadi victory by year’s end; ISIS traps residents– Iraq welcomes Turkish withdrawal announcement– Turkey military offensive kills 110 Kurdish fighters; Turkey’s pro-Kurdish leader to […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2015

Ending Syria’s War Will Require All Hands on Deck

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States and Russia will have to cooperate, says former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy Nabil Fahmy served as Egypt’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2014. In this interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen, Fahmy makes the point that the United States, Russia, the Arab states, Iran and Turkey will all need […]

Iran North Africa

In the News

Dec 18, 2015

Saab on Hezbollah’s Syria Recruits

By Bilal Saab

The Associated Press quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on Hezbollah’s heavy losses in the Syrian conflict and its recent recruitment efforts:

Syria

In the News

Dec 18, 2015

Saab: Saudi Arabia’s Plan in Syria

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on Saudi Arabia’s plan for Syria and whether it can succeed:

Saudi Arabia Syria

In the News

Dec 18, 2015

Hof on the Need for a Ceasfire in Syria

By Frederic Hof

CNN quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on why ending the bombing against the Syrian people needs to be the first step in ending the conflict:

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 18, 2015

Unanswered Questions after the Riyadh Conference

By Daniel R. DePetris

The Riyadh conference last week hosted over one hundred political and armed opposition factions. The image of seeing a range of political activists and some of the most hardline Islamist rebel groups in the same room for the first time was an accomplishment in and of itself. Secretary of State John Kerry clearly realized how […]

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Samantha Sultoon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba East Asia

Staff

Nour Taha

Program Assistant, Transatlantic Project

Iraq Initiative

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Expert

Gregory Waters

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Democratic Transitions Middle East

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management