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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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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.

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Content

In the News

Jul 22, 2015

Lipke: How to Wage War Against ISIS Online

By Alexa Lipke

Transatlantic Security Initiative Intern Alexa Lipke writes for The National Interest on how to fight ISIS’s online influence:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Hadley and Ricciardone on ISIS

By Atlantic Council

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone and former National Security Advisor and Middle East Strategy Task Force (MEST) Co-Chair Stephen Hadley join Voice of America to discuss ways to combat ISIS and the need for strong governance in Syria and Iraq to combat terrorism:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Stein on ISIS’s War on Syrian, Turkish Kurds

By Aaron Stein

Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on how Monday’s suicide bombing in Turkey is a spillover of ISIS’s war on the Kurds in Syria:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Stein on Turkish Stance on Syria

By Aaron Stein

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on why an ISIS suicide bombing that killed thirty-two people in a Turkish border town is unlikely to change the Turkish stance on Syria:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 20, 2015

Itani on Hezbollah after Iranian Deal

By Faysal Itani

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on how the Iranian nuclear deal could strengthen Hezbollah:

Iran Israel

In the News

Jul 20, 2015

Stein on Turkish Bombing

By Aaron Stein

Bloomberg Business quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on blame falling on ISIS after a bomb killed thirty-one people near Turkey’s Syrian border:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 17, 2015

Hof on Civilian Protection in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Business Insider quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the need for the US military to focus on civilian protection in order to effectively combat ISIS in Syria: 

Syria

In the News

Jul 17, 2015

Slavin: Syrian Refugees’ US Resettlement Stalled Over Security Concerns

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on the US acceptance of Syrian refugees:

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 16, 2015

Syria: Preempting the Worst, Should Assad Fall

By Frederic C. Hof

Recent Assad regime reverses on Syrian battlefields have revived Obama administration fears of “catastrophic success:” that the person told by President Barack Obama in August 2011 to step aside might instead be pushed aside and that his fall could entail a regime collapse exploited by extremists intent on avenging the mass homicide atrocities of the […]

Syria
UK Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton and US Gen. Martin Dempsey, Jan. 22, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 16, 2015

UK Defense Chief Sees Air Force Combat Jet Fleet Stretched

By Robert Wall, Wall Street Journal

Britain’s top military officer said Wednesday the country’s fleet of combat jets is stretched to the limit and could struggle to take on additional roles in fighting Islamist extremists in the Middle East without scaling back elsewhere.

Iraq Syria

Experts