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

Russia’s Opening Salvo 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

Russia’s Opening Salvo 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

Russia’s Opening Salvo 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

SyriaSource

Oct 1, 2015

Russia’s Opening Salvo in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The Russian military carried out its first reported air strikes in Syria on September 30, targeting the northern suburbs of the strategically important city of Homs and the village of Lataminah further north. Russia insists that its mission in Syria is fighting the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), which the Russian Defense Ministry claimed was […]

Russia Syria

In the News

Oct 1, 2015

Karatnycky on Putin in Syria

By Adrian Karatnycky

Financial Times quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky on Putin’s position in Syria and Ukraine:

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Oct 1, 2015

Syria: Moscow Strikes, Washington Watches

By Frederic C. Hof

Four years of failed US policy toward Syria have produced alarming results that transcend the Levant. Having carefully gauged the gap between Obama administration rhetoric and action, Russian President Vladimir Putin has elected to intervene militarily to help the Assad regime defeat its non-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) enemies.

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 30, 2015

Hof and Stein on Russian Bombing in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof and Aaron Stein

Business Insider UK quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof and Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on Russia’s reasons for airstrikes in Syria:

Russia Syria

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
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Experts

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Active affiliation

Reem Salahi

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Gareth Stansfield

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Afghanistan Iraq
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