Recent analysis

Hof on US Strategy of Training Syrian Rebels

MENASource
Dec 8, 2025

States shouldn’t waste the chance to establish a Syria Victims Fund

By
Kate Springs, Celeste Kmiotek

A centralized fund would better support victims of international law violations in Syria, who face unique challenges.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

Hof on US Strategy of Training Syrian Rebels

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

One year after Assad’s fall, here’s what’s needed to advance justice for Syrians

By
Elise Baker and Ahmad Helmi

The second year of a post-Assad Syria requires structural reform, victim-centered leadership, and international reinforcement.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

Hof on US Strategy of Training Syrian Rebels

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

Syria’s civil society must take center stage in reconstruction

By
Tara Kangarlou and Merissa Khurma

One year since Bashar al-Assad’s fall, Syria stands to have the most potential to showcase how local ownership can accelerate reconstruction.

Civil Society
Middle East

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.

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Featured experts

Fellow


Ibrahim Al-Assil


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Conflict

Fellow


Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Fellow


Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Arwa Damon


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Diana Rayes 


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Amany Qaddour 


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Nadia Farra


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Cybersecurity
Defense Technologies

Expert


Gregory Waters


Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

Fellow


Marie Forestier 


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
French

Fellow


Samir Altaqi


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Middle East

Past events

Online Event
Thu, December 19, 2024 • 7:30 am ET

Putin loses in Syria. Is Russia in retreat?

Conflict
Europe & Eurasia
Middle East
Russia

Online Event
Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria

Conflict
Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business
Financial Regulation


Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By
JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society
Conflict

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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

In the News

Apr 10, 2015

Hof on US Strategy of Training Syrian Rebels

By Frederic Hof

The AP quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the effectiveness of the US strategy of training Syrian rebels:

Syria

MENASource

Apr 8, 2015

US-Iran: Deal or No Deal, This Is Not the Question

By Hanin Ghaddar

The June 30 deadline will make or break the US-Iran nuclear deal. Until then, the preliminary accord, its interpretation, and implementation will be the center of attention for all stakeholders. However, less attention will be given to the developments in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Iran
Iraq

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

The US-Iran Nuclear Agreement: It’s not the Details, It’s the Context

By Faysal Itani

The public debate over the US-Iran nuclear deal’s merits has largely focused on its technical details, protocols, and simplistic generalizations about Iranian goodwill (or lack thereof). But equally important are the geopolitical and strategic environments in which a deal is reached and US conduct in negotiations.

Iran
Syria

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

Iran: All About Nukes?

By Frederic C. Hof

Imagine a fistfight between a National Football League lineman and say, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Imagine the lineman, after effortlessly decking the Senior Fellow, offering a second round, but with one key difference: each fighter would be armed with a .38 Special.

Iran
Syria

In the News

Apr 4, 2015

Hof on the Iran Deal, Yemen, and Syria

By Frederic Hof

Hurriyet Daily News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on US policy in the Middle East and how the nuclear deal with Iran is interconnected with the conflicts in Yemen and Syria:

Iran
Syria

In the News

Apr 3, 2015

Hof on the US Training Program for Syrian Fighters

By Frederic Hof

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the US training program for Syrian fighters and the Assad regime:

Syria

MENASource

Apr 3, 2015

Syria: An Opportunity in Idlib

By Mohammed Alaa Ghanem

Last weekend, international headlines blared that Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, had captured the northern Syrian city of Idlib from Assad regime forces. Idlib was once a major hub for pro-democracy protests and for protests in support of the US-endorsed Free Syrian Army.

Syria

MENASource

Apr 2, 2015

The State of the Islamic State

By Mona Alami

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) has upped this ante this month, conducting a series of attacks in a number of Arab countries. While the operations in Syria, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen pursue the organization’s goal of destabilizing the region, the ISIS escalation also means to display its strength for its supporters.

Iraq
Syria

MENASource

Apr 1, 2015

Syria: Moving Beyond the “International Community”

By Frederic C. Hof

The March 31 Kuwait City words of the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samantha Power, to the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, were powerful and direct.

Syria

MENASource

Apr 1, 2015

Foreign Aid is Good, But Not Enough for Syria

By Raquel Vazquez Llorente

Almost eighty countries and more than forty international organizations gathered in Kuwait to pledge aid money for the crisis in Syria. The United Nations estimates the humanitarian needs in $8.4 billion, raising about half that amount at the conference.

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Active affiliation

Reem Salahi

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English
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