Syria

Arabic
Conflict

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Arabic
English

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Amany Qaddour

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow

Nadia Farra

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

Expert

Gregory Waters

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

Fellow

Marie Forestier

Arabic
French

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Public Event
Mon, March 18, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

Arabic
Middle East

Past events

The Syria Strategy Project: A public launch

Civil Society
Conflict
Freedom and Prosperity
Human Rights

Online Event
Mon, February 12, 2024 • 12:00 pm ET

One year on: Assessing the February 6th earthquake response in Syria

Civil Society
Economy & Business
Human Rights
International Organizations

Online Event
Fri, May 31, 2024 • 9:30 am ET

Serving communities with disability in conflict contexts

Civil Society
Conflict
Crisis Management
Human Rights

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

MENASource

May 12, 2015

Iran’s Influence is Tied to Assad’s Future

By Nicholas Blanford

A string of defeats for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad since late March in north and south Syria has broken the stalemate that existed for more than a year and potentially opens up space for the West and its regional partners in the Arab world to pursue a negotiated solution to a war now […]

International Organizations
Iran

MENASource

May 11, 2015

The Choice at Camp David: A Bold Middle East Strategy or Just Another Summit?

By Nabeel Khoury

The recent victories of Islamist and jihadist forces in Syria portend the possible demise of the Assad regime, but also the advent of a potentially vicious internecine struggle within the jihadist front and between it and the more secular nationalist rebel movement.

International Organizations
Iran

MENASource

May 11, 2015

Syria: A Strategy Possibly Emerging, But to What End?

By Frederic C. Hof

Recent media reports indicate (if not conclude) that the anti-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) “train and equip” effort of the US Department of Defense will be based largely in Jordan and focused mainly on preparing Syrian fighters of tribal origin to operate in ISIL-occupied eastern Syria.

Iran
Syria

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2015

With an Eye on Iran, Gulf Countries Seek US ‘Security Guarantee’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

UAE’s Ambassador says ‘gentleman’s agreement’ must be replaced with ‘something in writing’ The United Arab Emirates and its five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—worried about Iran’s hegemonic ambitions in their neighborhood—want a US “security guarantee,” Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s Ambassador in Washington, said May 7 at the Atlantic Council. “We are looking […]

International Organizations
Iran

MENASource

May 6, 2015

The Cult of ISIS and Foreign Recruits

By Mona Alami

Analysts have described the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) as the most powerful terrorist organization of this decade. However, few have discussed the shared characteristics between the extremist nebula and modern cults, particularly regarding the recruitments of westerners and fresh converts.

Iraq
Syria

In the News

May 4, 2015

Hof on the Syrian Proxy Force

By Frederic Hof

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the US plan to arm Syrian opposition fighters to oppose ISIS and why the vetting process is slowing down progress:

Syria

In the News

May 1, 2015

Hof on What the Syrian Rebel Gains Really Mean

By Frederic Hof

Foreign Policy interviews Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on whether the recent gains by Syrian rebels are signaling an end to Bashar al-Assad’s regime:

Syria

MENASource

May 1, 2015

Egypt’s Responsibility in the Mediterranean Refugee Crisis

By Mohamed Abdel Salam

As the season of migration via the Mediterranean begins, public policy discussions by Egyptian authorities on Syrian refugees have become increasingly important. Since the start of the year, over 1,750 refugees have died making the treacherous journey, attempting to leave the coasts of Africa for a better future in Europe. Syrians by far outnumber any […]

North Africa
Syria

In the News

Apr 30, 2015

Itani on the Current Syria Strategy

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins Voice of America’s International Edition to discuss why the current Syria strategy isn’t working and the proposals he outlines in a new report, “Defeating the Jihadists in Syria: Competition before Confrontation:”

Syria

SyriaSource

Apr 29, 2015

US-led Coalition Needs to Rethink Its Anti-Jihadist Strategy in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Insurgents captured the strategically important town of Jisr al Shughour from regime forces on April 25. This followed a rebel takeover of the provincial capital of Idlib, a mere few weeks earlier. Significantly, while only one of many members of the coalition that took Idlib and Jisr al Shughour, the Nusra Front played a critical […]

Syria

Experts

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Marie Forestier

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Arabic Conflict

Expert

Jon Wilks

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow