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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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In the News

Sep 13, 2015

Itani and Barabandi: In Zabadani, Signs of a New and Worrying Iranian Strategy in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani and former Syrian diplomat Bassam Barabandi write for The World Post on Zabadani’s impact on Iran’s strategy in Syria, mentioning their recently release report on seizing local opportunities in Syria:

Iran Syria

In the News

Sep 12, 2015

Stavridis: Migrants and the Road to Character

By James Stavridis

Adm. James Stavridis, Dean of The Fletcher School and Atlantic Council Board Director, writes for Foreign Policy on the migrant crisis and why the United States must do more to take in Syria’s refugees:

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Herbst on Russia’s Buildup in Syria

By John E. Herbst

The Washington Post quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Director John E. Herbst on the significance of Russia’s military buildup in Syria:

Russia Syria

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Hof on Assad’s Exit: “I Just Don’t See That Happening.”

By Fred Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof joins NPR’s All Things Considered to discuss Washington’s hopes of Russian and Iranian involvement in Syria leading to a favorable outcome:

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Slavin Moderates Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin moderates Voice of America’s Issues in the News, discussing Europe’s migrant crisis, Russia’s intervention in Syria, the Iran deal, and the fourteenth anniversary of 9/11:

Europe & Eurasia Iran
NATO's first unmanned air vehicle, June 4, 2015

NATOSource

Sep 11, 2015

NATO Caught ‘Surprised’ By Russia’s Move Into Syria

By Kevin Baron, Defense News

When Russia sent military forces into Syria last weekend, it caught NATO by surprise and proved that its members can neither stay ahead of threats nor even decide which ones are the most pressing, the alliance’s intelligence director said.

Intelligence NATO

In the News

Sep 11, 2015

Itani on No-Fly Zones Over Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins CBC Radio’s The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti to discuss the need for no-fly zones over Syria and a zero-tolerance policy for regime aircraft caught flying in those zones: 

Syria

SyriaSource

Sep 10, 2015

Obama’s Failure to Stop Assad Contributes to Refugee Crisis

By Frederic C. Hof

The following is an excerpt from an article by Frederic Hof, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, originally published by Foreign Policy on September 9, 2015.

Iran Russia

In the News

Sep 10, 2015

Itani on US Accepting Syrian Refugees

By Faysal Itani

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on how an influx of Syrian refugees to the United States would affect US policy on Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Sep 10, 2015

The implications of violent conflict between the PKK and the Turkish Republic

By Aaron Stein

Members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) killed two police officers in Urfa on July 22, purportedly in retaliation for an Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) inspired suicide bombing of a leftist meeting in the border town of Suruç. In response, Turkey struck PKK bases in Iraqi Kurdistan and southeastern Turkey. This prompted a sharp […]

Syria Turkey

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