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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

Sep 30, 2015

Hof on the Obama Administration’s Syria Policy

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the Obama administration’s Syria policy:

Syria
Launcher and radar from Buk-M2E missile system at MAKS-2011 airshow

NATOSource

Sep 29, 2015

Top NATO General: Russians Starting to Build Air Defense Bubble Over Syria

By Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post

While Russia’s stated goal in moving into Syria is to fight the Islamic State, NATO’s top commander believes Russia’s new presence includes the first pieces of an intricate layer of defensive systems deployed to hinder U.S. and coalition operations in the region.

NATO Russia

In the News

Sep 29, 2015

Slavin: Obama and Putin Struggle to Find a Way Forward on Syria

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on disagreements between Obama and Putin on the civil war in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 29, 2015

Polyakova on Russia’s Involvement in Syria

By Alina Polyakova

Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Associate Director Alina Polyakova joins Feature Story News to discuss Russia’s involvement in Syria and the meeting between President Obama and President Putin at the United Nations General Assembly: Watch the full interview here.

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 29, 2015

Hof on Russia in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the help of Russia in fighting the Islamic State in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 29, 2015

Hof on Obama and Putin in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

POLITICO quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the potential for cooperation between the United States and Russia in Syria: 

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 28, 2015

Assessing Putin’s “Fight Them There Not Here” Strategy in Syria

By Mark N. Katz

The recent increase in Russian military involvement in Syria is widely seen as an expansion of Moscow’s influence in the Middle East. While offensive ambitions may well be present, defensive motives also appear to have played a role in Putin’s decision-making.

Russia Syria

MENASource

Sep 28, 2015

Syria: Barrel Bombing as an “Active Measure”

By Frederic C. Hof

Fans of television interviewer Charlie Rose have long known not to be surprised when Mr. Rose manages, in a flawlessly professional manner, to elicit intelligence on the essence of his guest’s character. He did it again in his recent interview of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia Syria
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, July 30, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 28, 2015

General Dempsey: NATO has Taken Deterrence ‘For Granted’

By James Kitfield, Politico Europe

Dempsey sees yet more escalating crises while Washington and other Western capitals slash defense budgets, still vainly searching for a “peace dividend” when there is little real peace to be leveraged.

Iraq NATO

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

By Frederic C. Hof

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on Iraq’s expanded security cooperation with Russia and Syria in the fight against ISIS and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s motivations for the arrangement:

Iraq Russia

Experts