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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.

Content

In the News

Jun 11, 2015

Hof on the Nusra Front

By Frederic C. Hof

The Wall Street Journal quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on the Nusra Front, an al Qaeda affiliate, as a potential ally in the fight against ISIS:

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 11, 2015

How the United States Can Help Save Palmyra

By Matthew Hall

If the United States and its partners are serious about defeating the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) they must deny the terror group a major source of its funding: proceeds from the illegal antiquities trade.

Syria

In the News

Jun 9, 2015

Ricciardone on Obama’s Comment About Turkey

By Francis Ricciardone

Daily Sabah Elections quotes Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on President Obama’s comments regarding Turkey’s role in the fight against ISIS:

Syria
Turkey

In the News

Jun 9, 2015

Itani on US Strategy in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Middle East Eye quotes Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the flaws in the current US strategy to defeat ISIS in Syria:

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 9, 2015

The Syrian Crisis and the Challenge Presented By ISIL

By Frederic C. Hof

Frederic C. Hof, Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center, delivered an address on June 8 to an audience at the NATO Defense College in Rome.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2015

A Win for Democracy in Turkey

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Election should boost Turkey’s regional prestige, says Atlantic Council’s Ricciardone Turkish elections that eroded the ruling Justice and Development Party’s parliamentary majority for the first time in thirteen years and put the country on the path to coalition politics represent a big win for Turkey’s democracy, says the Atlantic Council’s Francis J. Ricciardone. “This is […]

Syria
Turkey

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

Experts