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

SyriaSource

Jun 5, 2015

Iran and Syria: Will Tehran Ease the Humanitarian Crisis?

By Frederic C. Hof

The Rafik Hariri Center hosted a private meeting on June 3 to discuss the policy implications of a remarkable report issued by the Syrian American Medical Society. Entitled Slow Death: Life and Death in Syrian Communities Under Siege, author Valerie Szybala placed under the microscope one aspect of the Assad regime’s mass homicide survival strategy.

Iran Russia

Article

Jun 5, 2015

Glimmer of Hope for Yemen, Gloom Elsewhere in the Middle East

By Barbara Slavin

This week, there were a plethora of events in Washington devoted to deepening understanding of the factors tearing apart Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen and threatening the stability of many other countries in the region.

Iran Syria

MENASource

Jun 4, 2015

The Case of Syria

By David Miliband

International Rescue Committee President and CEO David Miliband delivered a commencement speech to the graduating students of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government on May 27, 2015.

Syria

In the News

May 31, 2015

Cohen on Russia’s Role in Iran

By Ariel Cohen

The Jerusalem Post quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ariel Cohen on why Russia is unlikely to drop its support for the Assad regime:

Russia Syria

In the News

May 28, 2015

Itani on Hezbollah in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Al Arabiya quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria and its strategy moving forward:

Syria

In the News

May 22, 2015

Slavin on US Strategy against ISIS on 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 gains in Iraq and Syria, US strategy to combat ISIS, the declassified files found in bin Laden’s compound, and US politics:

Iraq Syria

In the News

May 21, 2015

Itani on the Expansion of ISIS in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Middle East Eye quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the expansion of ISIS in Syrian and the Syrian residents now under ISIS control:

Syria

In the News

May 21, 2015

Itani on ISIS in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins BBC Newshour to discuss ISIS advances in Syria:

Syria

SyriaSource

May 21, 2015

Syria, You’re On Your Own

By Frederic C. Hof

In his May 19 briefing, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest leveled, in his own peculiar way, with the people of Syria: “… the President feels very strongly that the very significant problems that are faced by people in Syria, for example, are not problems that the United States is going to come in and […]

Iran Syria

In the News

May 21, 2015

Itani on the ISIS Takeover of Palmyra

By Faysal Itani

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on Palmyra’s strategic location and what advantages ISIS will gain from its takeover:

Syria

Experts