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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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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.

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U.S. Patriot missiles stand guard over Gaziantep, Turkey in 2013

NATOSource

Mar 27, 2015

NATO Says Syrian Rocket Landed in Part of Turkey Not Protected by Patriot Batteries

By Denis Arslan, Today's Zaman

A NATO official has said a Syrian rocket that landed close to a Turkish military unit and slightly wounded five people on Wednesday was outside the areas covered by the current Patriot configuration in Turkey.

Missile Defense
NATO

In the News

Mar 27, 2015

Itani on the Propaganda Campaign against ISIS

By Faysal Itani

Al Jazeera quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the propaganda pamphlets dropped over Raqqa in the campaign against ISIS:

Syria

MENASource

Mar 27, 2015

Shifting to a Syria-First Approach

By Frederic C. Hof

The stunning decision of the US government to provide combat air support for Iranian-led Shia Iraqi militiamen fighting to liberate the city of Tikrit from the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) illustrates why Washington and its partners should shift now to a Syria-first anti-ISIL strategy.

Iran
Syria

Article

Mar 26, 2015

Opinion: A Fourth Arab Country Melts Down

By Barbara Slavin

Reports on Wednesday that the president of Yemen has fled his country underline the latest crisis to strike the state system in the Middle East. Three other Arab nations – Libya, Syria and Iraq – are already fractured among religious, ethnic and tribal groups, with fighting exacerbated by outsiders bankrolling and arming proxies.

Iraq
Libya

MENASource

Mar 25, 2015

Iran’s Free Pass in the Region

By Frederic C. Hof

In his recent Nowruz address to the people of Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said something I have heard more than once from Iranian counterparts in track two (unofficial) discussions: “The negotiations with America are about the nuclear program and nothing else, everyone should know this . . .

Iran
Syria

In the News

Mar 24, 2015

Itani on the Quiet Ascent of the Nusra Front in Syria

The AP quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the rise of the Nusra Front, Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate:

Syria

In the News

Mar 19, 2015

Itani on the Fight Against ISIS in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins Al Jazeera to discuss the switch in US focus in Syria from President Bashar al-Assad to ISIS and how the fighters being trained to combat ISIS will interact with the Assad regime:

Syria

In the News

Mar 19, 2015

Hof on US Drone Strikes in Syria

By Frederic Hof

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof on the US drone believed to have been shot down in Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Mar 17, 2015

Is Assad’s Departure a “Legitimate Concern?”

By Frederic C. Hof

CIA Director John Brennan told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, March 13 that the near-term collapse of Syria’s Assad regime raises “a legitimate concern” about the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and other jihadist extremists capitalizing on it.

Syria

MENASource

Mar 16, 2015

Syria at Four Years

By Frederic C. Hof

In March 2011 Bashar al-Assad elected to respond to peaceful protests against police brutality with lethal violence. Was this a choice he made freely and consciously? Or was he obliged by his security chieftains to beat, shoot, incarcerate, and torture protesters?

Syria

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