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

Wanted: A Strong Stand Against Russia

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

Wanted: A Strong Stand Against Russia

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

Wanted: A Strong Stand Against Russia

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

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

In the News

Nov 22, 2015

Itani on Fighting ISIS and al-Qaeda

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins Defense News to discuss the differences between ISIS and al-Qaeda and the strategies to combat them:

Syria

In the News

Nov 22, 2015

Hof on Combating ISIS

By Frederic C. Hof

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on what the United States should do to combat ISIS: 

Syria

New Atlanticist

Nov 20, 2015

‘Demagogic’ Anti-Migrant Rhetoric Will Hurt America

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Madeleine Albright and Stephen Hadley criticize efforts to keep out Syrian migrants The terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 have produced an alarming anti-migrant backlash in the United States. Republican presidential frontrunner Ben Carson has compared migrants fleeing the war in Syria to dogs. Another Republican presidential contender, Donald Trump, said he would support […]

European Union International Organizations
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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