Featured reading

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.

Featured experts

Leadership

Fellows

Past events

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.

Sign up for all the latest updates!

Sign up for the MENASource newsletter, highlighting pieces that follow democratic transitions and economic changes throughout the region.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


Content

Defense Industrialist

Sep 16, 2015

An ISIS Air Force?

By Blake Franko

The Threat of Poor Man’s Air Power In a not too distant future, war has broken out between NATO and Russia. Battles are being fought all over Europe and Russian forces are moving to capture Paris. With sizable ground forces and air dominance, US helicopters and tilt-rotors are supporting the troops overhead, forcing Russian troops to retreat. […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 16, 2015

Herbst on Russia’s Strategy in Ukraine and Syria

By John Herbst

USA Today quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on Russia’s failure to implement the ceasefire in Ukraine and Putin’s military assistance for the Assad regime in Syria:

Russia Syria
Gen. Petr Pavel, Chairman of NATO Military Committee and Gen. Hulusi Akar, Chief of the General Staff of Turkey, Sept. 12, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 16, 2015

Turkey’s Top Military Commander Sees ISIL Activities As Serious Threat to NATO’s Security

By Hulusi Akar, NATO

Welcome to Turkey. We are delighted to host the NATO Military Committee CHODs’ Conference today in Istanbul.

Iraq NATO

Webcasts

Sep 16, 2015

Protecting Civilians in Syria: Policy Options

By Rafik Hariri Center

Images of dead Syrian children washing ashore in Turkey may serve to overcome that which is charitably described as “Syria fatigue:” widespread American and international apathy in the face of a grotesque and growing humanitarian abomination in which civilians are deliberately targeted for murder. This is a catastrophe with policy consequences. What are its dimensions […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 15, 2015

Itani on Support for Syrian Insurgents

By Faysal Itani

Vice News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on international support for the Syrian opposition:

Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 15, 2015

Syria: What to do About the Russian Challenge

By Frederic C. Hof

Russia’s military buildup on a Syrian airbase south of Latakia combined with the escalating hemorrhage of Syrian humanity confronts President Barack Obama’s administration with facts it has tried mightily to avoid for years: the Syrian crisis is not containable; it cannot be held at arm’s length; and it cannot be treated with mantra-like incantations about […]

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 15, 2015

Herbst on the United States-Russia Relationship

By John Herbst

The New York Times quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on the possibility of talks between the United States and Russia to discuss the situation in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 15, 2015

Itani on Russia in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The Huffington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on Russia’s military involvement in Syria:

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 14, 2015

Syria: Moscow Makes a Move

By Frederic C. Hof

Although the precise nature of Russia’s recent upgrading of its military presence in Syria remains largely opaque to Western eyes, one thing seems clear: Moscow has doubled-down in its support of Bashar al-Assad and the family-based Assad regime.

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 14, 2015

Hof on Syrian Refugees

By Frederic C. Hof

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on Syrian refugees leaving for Europe:

Syria

Experts