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

In the News

Aug 1, 2015

Ricciardone on Kurdish Role in US-Turkey Military Deal

By Francis J. Ricciardone

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone joins NPR’s Weekend Edition to discuss how Kurdish militias appear to be sidelined by a new US-Turkey military deal to combat ISIS:

Syria Turkey

SyriaSource

Jul 31, 2015

Syria: Hard Times in ISIL-Free Land

By Frederic C. Hof

The temptation to heap scorn on the US-led “train-and-equip” program seeking to create an anti-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) Syrian ground force by recruiting Syria rebels will no doubt increase due to the kidnapping (by the Nusra Front) of the commander of the unit into which new trainees have been funneled.

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 31, 2015

Hof on Managing Expectations After Iran Deal

By Frederic C. Hof

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on why it is naive to think that a nuclear deal with Iran will help resolve other conflicts in the Middle East:

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 31, 2015

Ricciardone and Hof on Syria Safe Zone

By Francis Ricciardone and Frederic C. Hof

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone and Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof join Voice of America’s International Edition to discuss the developing safe zone in Syria and Turkey’s involvement in the fight against ISIS:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 30, 2015

Hof on Turkey’s ‘Safe Zone’

By Fred Hof

Al Arabiya quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on how Turkey’s ‘safe zone’ is another chapter in Syria’s disintegration:

Syria Turkey
NATO meeting to discuss terrorists attacks in Turkey, July 28, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 29, 2015

Possible Division in NATO Over Turkey’s Attacks Against Kurds

By Julian Barnes, Joe Parkinson, and Ayla Albayrak, Wall Street Journal

As the NATO ambassadors met in Brussels, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan effectively declared the three-year-old peace process with the PKK over. His air force bombed militants affiliated with the group in the country’s southeastern Kurdish heartland.

Iraq NATO

In the News

Jul 29, 2015

Hof on Obama’s Focus on Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Christian Science Monitor quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on President Obama’s focus on achieving progress in Syria before the end of his term:

Syria

In the News

Jul 29, 2015

Ricciardone on Politics of Turkey’s Anti-ISIS and Anti-Kurdish War

By Francis Ricciardone

The Wall Street Journal quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on the politics behind Turkey’s new two-front war against Kurdish militants and ISIS:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 29, 2015

Slavin: Turkey Grants Access for US Warplanes as Syrian War Escalates

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the US alliance with Turkey to combat ISIS in Syria: 

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 29, 2015

Stein on Turkey’s War Against ISIS and the Kurds

By Aaron Stein

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on how Turkey’s two front war against both the Kurds and ISIS may hurt the US focus on ISIS:

Syria Turkey

Experts