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: A Syria-First Strategy for Defeating ISIS

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: A Syria-First Strategy for Defeating ISIS

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: A Syria-First Strategy for Defeating ISIS

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

Nov 5, 2015

Hof: A Syria-First Strategy for Defeating ISIS

By Frederic Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof writes for The Atlantic on why protecting civilians from Assad is the first step toward a negotiated political transition  in Syria:

Syria

In the News

Nov 5, 2015

Hof on US Support for Syria’s Rebels

By Frederic C. Hof

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the Obama administration’s plan to send US special operations forces to aid Syrian rebels:

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 5, 2015

Top News: November 5, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Russia sent missile systems to Syria, personnel force grows to 4,000 – Pentagon welcomes advance by ISIS-fighting allies in Syria– Rebels seize military base in western Hama– Water crisis leaves Damascus residents thirsty– Kurdish rebels end unilateral ceasefire declaration– Turkey agrees access to Cyprus army zone graves in search for missing– Former Iraqi Environment Minister […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 4, 2015

ISIS’s Malice for the People of Deir Ezzor

By Fikram

If one wishes to live safely in Deir Ezzor, he must swear allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). ISIS grants those who pledge their loyalty lucrative pensions and salaries, the best living accommodations, and favorable treatment, allowing said individuals to do what they want and come and go as they please—even after ISIS sealed the […]

Syria

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
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Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wa’el Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism
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