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

SyriaSource

Nov 4, 2015

Top News: November 4, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Syrian government troops retake Aleppo supply route from ISIS– Russia calls for consensus on opposition group designations in Syria– Russian air strikes killed twenty-three civilians, say Syrian activists– Turkey detains nine ISIS suspects planning suicide attacks– Turkey’s President Erdogan says new constitution should be priority– Iraqi leaders attend funeral of invasion backer Chalabi

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 3, 2015

Flash Point: Syrian Regime Says ‘Transitional Period’ Is Only in the Minds of Those Who Do Not Live in Reality

By SyriaSource

According to a Reuters report, Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has rejected the concept of a Syrian political transition underlying the June 2012 Geneva Final Communique and the more recent Vienna Joint Communique issued only days ago. Mekdad told Syrian state television during a visit to Tehran, “We are talking about a national dialogue […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 3, 2015

Top News: November 3, 2015

By SyriaSource

– UN panel head prepares for Syria gas attacks probe– UN envoy urges Syria ceasefires– Iran says may quit Syria talks over spat with Saudi; Russia trying for talks in Moscow– Turkey detains fifty-seven linked to Gulen– Turkish jets strike Kurdish targets in northern Iraq– Iraq parliament bars Abadi government from passing reforms unilaterally

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 2, 2015

In the Wake of Syrian Refugees

By Piroz Perik

European countries have absorbed a large number of Syrian refugees to meet the growing demand for a safe haven. Refugees face massive challenges in transit and destination countries. Refugees who decide to make the trek to Europe risk their lives, often departing without preparing for the journey’s challenges. They put themselves at the mercy of […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 2, 2015

Top News: November 2, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Syria rebels using caged captives as human shields– EU gives 28 million euros to Syrian refugees in Jordan; US pledges $100 million to rebels– ISIS overruns town in central Syria– Syria Kurdish-Arab alliance launches first anti-ISIS attack– Turkey returns to single-party rule in boost for Erdogan– Turkish, US air strikes kill more than fifty ISIS militants in Syria

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 2, 2015

The Vienna Joint Communique: Way Forward or Death Warrant?

By Frederic C. Hof

The clearest indicator that the October 30th meeting in Vienna on Syria may have fallen short of a substantive breakthrough was State Department spokesman John Kirby’s awkward attempt to sell the meeting’s communique as an improvement over what was agreed by the Permanent Five members of the United Nations and others in Geneva over three […]

Syria

In the News

Nov 1, 2015

Hof on US Special Operations Forces in Syria

By Frederic Hof

Newsmax quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on why President Obama’s decision to send US special operations forces to Syria will not be enough to change the situation significantly:

Syria

In the News

Oct 31, 2015

Hof on Regional Efforts to Solve the Crisis in Syria

By Frederic Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on President Obama’s decision to send US special operations forces to Syria, and why it may lead more regional powers to provide on-the-ground assistance:

Syria

In the News

Oct 31, 2015

Hof on Special Operations in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Defense News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the effectiveness of sending US special operations forces to Syria to advise anti-ISIS groups:

Syria

In the News

Oct 31, 2015

Hof on Obama’s Policy in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on President Obama’s announcement to deploy special operations troops to Syria:

Syria

Experts