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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

Aug 25, 2015

Ashooh: Understanding Syrian Mindset Is Key to Redirecting Anti-ISIS Effort

By Jessica Ashooh

Middle East Strategy Task Force Deputy Director Jessica Ashooh writes for The Hill on the dangers of ignoring Assad in the fight against ISIS in Syria:

Syria

SyriaSource

Aug 25, 2015

A Potential Ground Component for the ISIS-Free Zone

By Andrea Taylor and Abigail Kukura

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) attack on Marea on August 11 closely resembled their offensive in northern Aleppo two months prior. In both instances, ISIS launched attacks against the Levant Front (or Jabhat al-Shamiyya), in close proximity to the Turkish border and within ten miles of a Turkey-Aleppo supply route critical to rebel forces.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Aug 21, 2015

Hof: America’s Self-Inflicted Wound in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof writes for Foreign Policy on the unintended consequences of President Obama’s diplomacy with Iran:

Iran Syria

In the News

Aug 21, 2015

Slavin Hosts Issues in the News

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss ISIS violence in Syria, the explosions in Cairo, the Iran deal, and US politics:

Iran North Africa

SyriaSource

Aug 21, 2015

Syria: Kicking the Can Down the Road

By Frederic C. Hof

The United Nations Security Council authorized a statement by the Council’s president on August 17 endorsing a new search process for a negotiated political settlement in Syria. “Syrian parties” would be invited to attend “more focused consultations and discussions” in “four thematic working groups.”

Iran Syria
Then Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter visiting US Patriot missile unit in Turkey, Feb. 4, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 17, 2015

Delicate Negotiations Behind Withdrawal of Patriot Missile Units from Turkey

By New York Times and Reuters

From Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  The United States said Sunday that it would withdraw two Patriot missile-defense batteries from southern Turkey this fall, a sign that the Pentagon believes the risk of Syrian Army missile attacks has eased since the Patriots were deployed in 2013.

Germany Missile Defense

SyriaSource

Aug 14, 2015

Syria: An Open Letter to President Obama

By MENASource

US Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power said that the Assad regime has “apparently grown reliant on the repugnant use of barrel bombs as an instrument of terror against innocent Syrian civilians.” Over 2,000 barrel bombs dropped on Syria since the first week of July. It is within this context that Ambassadors Frederic Hof and […]

Syria

In the News

Aug 13, 2015

Stein on US Involvement in Syrian ‘Safe Zone’

By Aaron Stein

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on the plan for US involvement or support in the established ISIS-free zone on the Syrian border:

Syria

In the News

Aug 13, 2015

Hof on the Obama Administration’s Assad Position

By Frederic Hof

McClatchy quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on why the Obama administration still predicts ‘Assad’s days are numbered’:

Syria

In the News

Aug 13, 2015

Itani on US Airstrike in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The Daily Beast quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the repercussions of the recent US airstrike in Syria which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties:

Syria

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