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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.


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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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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.

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Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Nov. 24, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 24, 2015

Secretary General: NATO Stands With Turkey, but Diplomacy and De-Escalation also Important

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

The North Atlantic Council has just held a meeting, an extraordinary meeting. And we have been updated by the Turkish Ambassador on the recent events. I have also spoken to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

NATO Russia

SyriaSource

Nov 24, 2015

Paris, Sinai, and the State of the ‘Caliphate’

By Faysal Itani

The terrorist attacks that killed scores in Paris and brought down a passenger plane over the Sinai demonstrate a new ISIS tactic and a surprising degree of capability. The operations have been described as an ISIS reaction to the setbacks it is incurring under international and local military pressure in Syria and Iraq. However, there […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 24, 2015

Top News: November 24, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Russian jet shot down near Syria-Turkey border– Russian ground troops engage in Syria; Syrian troops seize territory from ISIS– Global watchdog slams ongoing chemical arms use in Syria– US warplanes destroy 283 fuel trucks in Syria– Turkey’s new government announced– Iran says US plans to divide Iraq

Syria

New Atlanticist

Nov 24, 2015

Wanted: A Strong Stand Against Russia

By John E. Herbst

The shoot-down by Turkish fighters of a Russian warplane in Turkish airspace is an event of major significance in Syria, Ukraine, and beyond.  The savage attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Paris on Nov. 13 has prompted French President François Hollande to seek a grand coalition with the United States […]

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 23, 2015

Deadlier than Conflict

By Faysal Itani and Lena Abdin

Ten million Syrians do not have enough food to eat, according to Oxfam. Rising food insecurity is a result of regime force and armed group tactics to put pressure on local populations and circumstantial situations outside of any one party’s control. Deliberate or not, civilians are struggling to secure basic staples such as bread and […]

Syria

In the News

Nov 23, 2015

Daniels: Four Reasons the United States Should Support the Resettlement of Syrian Refugees

By Owen Daniels

Brent Scowcroft Center Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Program Assistant Owen Daniels writes for The Huffington Post on the responsibility of the United States to support and sccept Syrian refugees into the country:

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 23, 2015

Top News: November 23, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Syria troops advance against ISIS in Homs province– Kerry in Abu Dhabi for Talks on Syria peace plan– Assad says Syria troops advancing thanks to Russia strikes– US ground forces traveling soon to Syria– Turkish warplanes pound Kurdish militant targets in southeast Turkey– Iraq closes northern airspace over missiles launched at Syria 

Syria

MENASource

Nov 23, 2015

FACTBOX: Evolution of the Islamic State’s Chemical Weapons Capacity

By Andrea Taylor

Days after the terror attack in Paris, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told the French parliament the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) presents a “risk [to France] of chemical or bacteriological weapons.”

Iraq Syria

Defense Industrialist

Nov 23, 2015

Planes or train?

By James Hasik

Just “how can Canada best” contribute to the fight in Iraq and Syria? The Americans are bombing. The French are now bombing by the score. The British are slinging Brimstone. The Canadians will train the Peshmerga. That’s right—making good on a campaign promise, new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau still intends to withdraw the six F-18 […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Nov 23, 2015

Hof on the Russian-Iranian Relationship

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic Hof is quoted by USA Today on the Russian-Iranian relationship as it relates to Syria:

Iran Russia

Experts