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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.


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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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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.

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Content

In the News

Oct 9, 2015

Aslund on Russia’s Economy and Intervention in Syria

By Anders Aslund

Anadolu Agency Energy Terminal quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund on Russia’s economy and whether it has the capacity to sustain a long-term intervention in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Oct 9, 2015

Stein on Increased US Presence in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

BuzzFeed News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on reports that the United States is increasing its presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey ahead of an offensive against the ISIS stronghold in Raqqa, Syria:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Oct 9, 2015

Itani on the Failed Training Program in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The Huffington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the Obama administration’s failed training program for Syrian rebels and what it means moving forward for the fight against ISIS in Syria:

Syria

In the News

Oct 9, 2015

Karatnycky: Putin Tries to Change the Subject

By Adrian Karatnycky

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky cowrites for POLITICO Europe on why the West shouldn’t mistake Russia’s warring in Syria as a sign of strength:

Russia Syria

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

The Incirlik Expansion and the US-Turkish Strategy to Fight ISIS

By Aaron Stein

After nine months of negotiations, the United States and Turkey reached an agreement to open Turkish airbases for strike missions against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in late July 2015. Since then, the United States has stationed six F-16s at Incirlik and search and rescue aircraft at Diyarbakir airbase.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Ullman: Barack Obama, a Fantastical Strategist?

By Harlan Ullman

Atlantic Council Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for the Pakistani Daily Times on President Obama’s potential strategy in Syria amid Russian intervention:

Russia Syria

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Stein on Russia’s Message for Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on Russia’s message to Turkey with its incursions into Turkish airspace:

Russia Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 8, 2015

A Three-Pronged Strategy to Deal with Putin

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s James L. Jones, Jr. recommends a toolkit that includes economic, political, and security components The United States must develop a three-pronged approach that includes economic, political, and security components to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “retrograde ambitions in favor of the peaceful and progressive order the transatlantic community and the world had envisioned […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Younis and Taylor: Putin’s Next Conquest

By Nussaibah Younis

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Nussaibah Younis and Assistant Director Andrea Taylor cowrite for Foreign Affairs on Russia’s next possible move in the Middle East – Iraq:

Iraq Russia

In the News

Oct 7, 2015

Aslund on Russia’s Intervention in Syria

By Anders Aslund

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Resident Senior Fellow Anders Aslund joins CCTV America to discuss Russia’s intervention in Syria:

Russia Syria

Experts