Recent analysis

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

MENASource
Dec 8, 2025

States shouldn’t waste the chance to establish a Syria Victims Fund

By
Kate Springs, Celeste Kmiotek

A centralized fund would better support victims of international law violations in Syria, who face unique challenges.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

One year after Assad’s fall, here’s what’s needed to advance justice for Syrians

By
Elise Baker and Ahmad Helmi

The second year of a post-Assad Syria requires structural reform, victim-centered leadership, and international reinforcement.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

Syria’s civil society must take center stage in reconstruction

By
Tara Kangarlou and Merissa Khurma

One year since Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syria stands to have the most potential to showcase how local ownership can accelerate reconstruction.

Civil Society
Middle East

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

Fellow


Ibrahim Al-Assil


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Conflict

Fellow


Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economy & Business

Fellow


Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Arwa Damon


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


Amany Qaddour 


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Nadia Farra


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

Expert


Gregory Waters


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

Fellow


Marie Forestier 


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
French

Fellow


Samir Altaqi


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Middle East

Past events

Public Event
Wed, July 19, 2023 • 5:00 am ET

How can the United States counter normalization with Assad in the Middle East

Civil Society
Human Rights
International Organizations
Middle East

Online Event
Tue, June 13, 2023 • 3:00 pm ET

The mechanisms of corruption in Iran

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions
Economy & Business
Iran

Online Event
Wed, April 19, 2023 • 2:00 pm ET

Insight from the field: The double crisis for Syrian earthquake survivors in Turkey

Civil Society
Middle East
Migration
Resilience

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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

In the News

Sep 28, 2015

Hof on Russia, Syria, Iraq Intelligence Sharing

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Frederic C. Hof</span>

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

In the News

Sep 27, 2015

Itani on Global Efforts to Combat ISIS

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Faysal Itani </span>

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the complications of uniting global players in a coalition against ISIS in Syria:

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

SyriaSource

Sep 27, 2015

Syria: The Assad Conundrum

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Frederic C. Hof</span>

Distinguished intellectual and former Obama administration official Philip Gordon has called for a fundamental Syria policy recalculation centering on the status of Bashar al-Assad. Gordon’s basic thesis is that if Washington and its partners drop their demand for preemptive victory—Bashar’s immediate departure—Iran and Russia may see their way clear to shuffling their noisome client off […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Hof on Obama, Putin’s Upcoming Meeting

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Frederic C. Hof</span>

US News and World Report quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on President Barack Obama’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin: 

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Hof on Life amid Syria’s Civil War

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Frederic C. Hof</span>

Business Insider quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the new norm for life in Syria as the country’s civil war rages on:

Syria

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Itani on Iran’s Goals in Syria

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Faysal Itani</span>

The Hill quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on Iran’s views on embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime:

Iran Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 25, 2015

Slaughter In Syria: Mass Homicide And Echoes Of Bosnia

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Frederic C. Hof</span>

Critics of presidential passivity really want hundreds of thousands of uniformed Americans thrust into a foreign war. The killings are horrific, but reflect age-old hatreds and grudges. The opposition is hapless, and it too does bad things: there are “no good guys” and the conflict itself defines complexity.

Syria

In the News

Sep 25, 2015

Cohen on Russia’s Military Assistance to Syria

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ariel Cohen</span>

Global Energy Center and Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ariel Cohen joins Russian Business Channel to discuss Russia’s increasing military presence in Syria: Watch the full interview here.

Russia Syria

MENASource

Sep 25, 2015

The Implications of Russia’s Syria Intervention for Turkey

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Aaron Stein</span>

Russia’s recent deployment of aircraft and military equipment in Syria runs counter to Turkey’s efforts to unseat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The introduction of Russian aircraft and surface-to-air missiles prompted many to argue that Moscow is seeking to prevent the establishment of a US- and Turkish-backed air-exclusion zone over parts of northern Syria.

Russia Syria

MENASource

Sep 24, 2015

PKK-Turkey Conflict Could Hurt Kurdish Fight Against ISIS in Syria

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Wladimir van Wilgenburg</span>

The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) operating in Syria and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq have become indirect partners of the Western anti-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) coalition. In July 2015, however, the Turkish Armed Forces launched airstrikes against PKK targets following an attack that killed two policemen.

Syria Turkey
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Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wael Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

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

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict
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Events

Public Event Thu, March 5, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Navigating a new era in Syria: Strategic opportunities for the US and Turkey
Conflict Defense Policy Iraq Middle East