Recent analysis

The Arab League thinks readmitting Syria will push out Iran. They’re wrong.

New Atlanticist Dec 17, 2024

Dispatch from Damascus: Celebrations and concerns as a new Syria takes shape

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Syrians in Damascus are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, but that joy is mixed with concern for how the country’s new leaders will govern.
Conflict Crisis Management
The Arab League thinks readmitting Syria will push out Iran. They’re wrong.

MENASource Jun 20, 2025

On World Refugee Day, complexities persist for Syrian returnees

By Sinan Hatahet

While Syria’s political shift brings new hope, it also highlights the complex realities that still define the Syrian landscape.
Middle East Migration
The Arab League thinks readmitting Syria will push out Iran. They’re wrong.

MENASource Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.
Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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.

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Featured experts

Former fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economic Sanctions

Former fellow

Hind Kabawat

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Past events

Online Event Thu, December 19, 2024 • 12:30 pm ET

Putin loses in Syria. Is Russia in retreat?
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Middle East Russia
Online Event Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria
Conflict Economic Sanctions Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society Conflict
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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

IranSource

May 16, 2023

The Arab League thinks readmitting Syria will push out Iran. They’re wrong.

By David Daoud

The logic of drawing Bashar al-Assad back into the Arab League is unsound, founded on the faulty premise that there remains such a thing as an independent Syrian regime to woo back from Tehran.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 16, 2023

Syrian refugees fear normalization with Assad. Because it means they will have to return—and not by choice.

By Arwa Damon

Syrian refugees fear that “normalization” of ties will boost the narrative that “Syria is safe now,” giving further justification to rid Syrian refugee populations.

Human Rights Lebanon

In the News

May 5, 2023

Rich Outzen joins TV7 Israel News to discuss Turkey-Syria normalization
Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2023

It’s broken: The humanitarian response is keeping Syrians in a loop of helplessness

By Arwa Damon

The Atlantic Council's Arwa Damon shares insights from a recent visit to Idlib province in northwestern Syria, where the humanitarian situation remains dire.

Crisis Management Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Apr 27, 2023

Iranian and Syrian factors shape Israeli response to Russia’s Ukraine invasion

By Joseph Roche

Israel has sought to minimize its involvement in the international response to Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion, but deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran may force a change in the Israeli position.

Conflict Defense Technologies

TURKEYSource

Apr 12, 2023

Impact investing can help rebuild an inclusive, resilient Turkey after the earthquakes

By Selen Ucak

In the wake of Turkey's devastating earthquakes, investing in sustainable solutions for the displaced is crucial.

Entrepreneurship Inclusive Growth

In the News

Apr 11, 2023

Rich Outzen joins TRT World to discuss the PKK in Iraq
Iraq Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 10, 2023

Tahir in New Security Beat: Shaken to The Core: The Plight of Syrian Refugees After February’s Earthquake

By Atlantic Council

Resilience & Society Syria

MENASource

Apr 6, 2023

Arab states are normalizing with the Assad regime. This is the Middle East’s 1936 moment.

By Malik al-Abdeh and Lars Hauch

Now diplomatic relations are set to be restored between Syria and two behemoths of the Arab League: Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who are the holders of the all-important veto on Assad’s return to regional respectability.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

TURKEYSource

Mar 31, 2023

How the Turkish private sector is responding to the country’s devastating earthquake

By Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Ebru Özdemir, chairperson of Limak Holdings, discusses how companies are responding to the earthquakes and how southeast Turkey should rebuild.

Resilience & Society Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

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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