Syria

Syria

Syria stands at a pivotal juncture as it charts a path following the fall of the Assad regime. Syria’s new government faces the task of rebuilding a shattered economy and establishing state institutions capable of managing a diverse and war-affected population. A durable US-Syria partnership depends on sustained cooperation across reconstruction, governance, and Syria’s reintegration.

Featured commentary & analysis

The Northern Syria “Safe Zone”

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

The US is sending Syrian asylees back. Syria isn’t ready.

By
Diana Rayes 

The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status programs crates a troubling global precedent.

Migration
Syria

The Northern Syria “Safe Zone”

MENASource
May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By
Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity
Inclusive Growth

The Northern Syria “Safe Zone”

MENASource
Feb 20, 2026

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

By
Kurt Davis Jr.

There are lessons from Libya’s fragmentation and collapse that can be applied now as Syria sits at a similar inflection point.

Conflict
Libya

Programs

Syria Project

The Syria Project advances policy engagement and international partnerships during a pivotal political transition. It serves as a leading platform for independent analysis and high-level dialogue on US-Syria relations, economic recovery, governance, and regional reintegration, leveraging deep networks across Washington, Damascus, and the broader Middle East.

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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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

SyriaSource

Jul 27, 2015

The Northern Syria “Safe Zone”

By Frederic C. Hof

Reports of an American and Turkish agreement to close a sixty mile stretch of the Syria-Turkey border to the Islamic State (ISIL or ISIS) and to create—to an as yet undisclosed depth—a protected “safe zone” from the border south into Aleppo Province may signal a dramatic turn of Obama administration policy toward the crisis in […]

Syria Turkey

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2015

Turkey’s War in Syria: Of Kurds and Ways

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Deal envisages creation of ‘safe zone’ in Syria, allows US jets to use Turkish base A landmark agreement between the United States and Turkey—that allows US jets to use a Turkish air base to launch strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) militants and envisages the creation of a “safe zone” in war-ravaged […]

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 27, 2015

Hof on Syrian Safe Zone

By Frederic C. Hof

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the efficacy of a sixty-mile zone along the Syrian border, free from ISIS forces:

Syria

In the News

Jul 27, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkey Joining Anti-ISIS Fight

By Francis Ricciardone

US News and World Report quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on why, despite Turkey joining the anti-ISIS fight, a true alliance between Turkey and the United States to tackle the Syrian problem is still evasive:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 26, 2015

Hof: The Self-Government Revolution That’s Happening Under the Radar in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof writes for the Washington Post on the desire for self-government in Syria:

Syria

In the News

Jul 25, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkey Expanding Air Campaign

By Francis J. Ricciardone

The National quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on Turkey expanding its cross-border strikes against ISIS in Syria to include Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq:

Iraq Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 24, 2015

Has Syria Been “Sold” To Iran?

By Frederic C. Hof

One of the staples of opinion among Syrians struggling to survive the twin onslaught of the Islamic State (ISIL or ISIS) and the Assad regime is that the United States “sold” Syria to Iran to close the deal with Tehran on nuclear weapons.

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 24, 2015

Stein on Turkey’s Anti-ISIS Measures

By Aaron Stein

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on Turkey wading into the battle against ISIS in Syria, while launching a broad security crackdown at home:

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Jul 23, 2015

Turkey’s Returning Fighter Problem

By Aaron Stein

On Tuesday July 20, Şeyh Abdurrahman Alagöz allegedly detonated a suicide vest in the Kurdish majority town of Suruç, killing thirty-two members of a leftist organization linked to the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP).

Syria Turkey

Europe After The Vote

Jul 23, 2015

Sciubba: The Greek Financial Crisis is Making its Migration Crisis Worse

By Jennifer Sciubba

Strategic Foresight Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Jennifer D. Sciubba writes for the Washington Post on how strained resources and xenophobia are creating a difficult landscape for migrants arriving in Greece:

Greece Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Wa’el Alzayat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism
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