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 US Special Operations Forces in Syria

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 US Special Operations Forces in Syria

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 US Special Operations Forces in Syria

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 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

In the News

Oct 31, 2015

Hof on Syria Policy

By Frederic Hof

The Fayo Observer quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the change in the Obama administration’s military policy and action in Syria to combat ISIS:

Syria

In the News

Oct 31, 2015

Hof on the Situation in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The Guardian quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the effect of sending US special operations forces to Syria:

Syria

SyriaSource

Oct 30, 2015

Civil Society is a Force that Threatens the Enemies of Democracy—Bashar al-Assad and Islamic Factions

By Nouriddin Abdo

Despite their best efforts, pro-democracy groups in Idlib and Aleppo, provinces with a strong opposition presence, have failed in their repeated attempts to create a strong, civil administrative system in the vacuum left by the Assad regime. The challenges these pro-democracy groups face vary significantly between the two provinces. Nonetheless, the greatest threat to a […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 30, 2015

A ‘Band-Aid’ for Syria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US decision to deploy Special Operations Forces will not change situation significantly, says Atlantic Council’s Frederic C. Hof The Obama administration’s decision to deploy less than fifty US Special Operations Forces to Syria is a significant shift in US strategy, but one that is unlikely to tilt the balance on the ground in a war […]

Syria

In the News

Oct 30, 2015

Itani on the Syrian Peace Talks in Vienna

By Faysal Itani

McClatchy DC quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on why no Syrians have been invited to the peace talks in Vienna:

Syria

In the News

Oct 30, 2015

Itani on US Special Forces in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on President Obama’s announcement that he will be sending US Special Operations forces and additional planes and fighter jets to Syria, and whether it will be enough to make significant gains against ISIS:

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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