Recent analysis

Itani on the Fate of Aleppo

New Atlanticist
Dec 17, 2024

Dispatch from Damascus: Celebrations and concerns as a new Syria takes shape

By
Ömer Özkizilcik

Syrians in Damascus are celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, but that joy is mixed with concern for how the country’s new leaders will govern.

Conflict
Crisis Management

Itani on the Fate of Aleppo

MENASource
Jun 20, 2025

On World Refugee Day, complexities persist for Syrian returnees

By
Sinan Hatahet

While Syria’s political shift brings new hope, it also highlights the complex realities that still define the Syrian landscape.

Middle East
Migration

Itani on the Fate of Aleppo

MENASource
Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By
Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.

Middle East
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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

Former fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions
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Michel Duclos


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict
Crisis Management

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Arwa Damon


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

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Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

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Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

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Hind Kabawat


Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Diana Rayes 


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
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Past events

Online Event
Thu, December 19, 2024 • 12:30 pm 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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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

Nov 17, 2014

Itani on the Fate of Aleppo

By Faysal Itani

The Daily Beast quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on whether the Syrian city of Aleppo is likely to fall to the Assad regime:

Syria

MENASource

Nov 17, 2014

Moving from Words to Action in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

In his Brisbane, Australia press conference at the end of the G20 summit, President Barack Obama sought, through a simple rhetorical expedient, to put an end to rumors that the United States would collaborate with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as […]

Syria

MENASource

Nov 12, 2014

Countering ISIS: Obama Administration Strategy

By Frederic C. Hof

At Andrews Joint Base on March 14, 2014 President Barack Obama told visiting uniformed defense chiefs that a key aspect of destroying the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, also known as ISIL and the Islamic State) would be the promotion of moderate, legitimate governance inside Syria; governance that would ultimately be extended to […]

Syria

MENASource

Nov 10, 2014

Reassuring the Supreme Leader?

By Frederic C. Hof

The Wall Street Journal published a report by Jay Solomon and Carol Lee on November 6, saying that in mid-October of this year President Barack Obama dispatched a secret letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Iran Syria

In the News

Nov 8, 2014

Hof on Iran’s Involvement in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Al Arabiya quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on President Obama’s letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:

Iran Syria

MENASource

Nov 7, 2014

Implementing the President’s New Syria Policy

By Frederic C. Hof

On October 14, 2014 President Barack Obama signaled a profound shift in American policy toward Syria.  He told foreign chiefs of defense at Andrews Joint Base that beating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known as ISIL and the Islamic State) in Syria will “require us developing and strengthening a moderate opposition […]

Syria

MENASource

Nov 5, 2014

Why Training Is Still More Important Than Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

By Daniel DePetris

More than two months into the US and coalition air campaign, Obama administration officials and members of the US military’s senior leadership are confident that “Operation Inherent Resolve” is having the intended effect against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).

Syria

MENASource

Nov 4, 2014

Will a Change in the Senate Lead to a Change in Syria Policy?

By Jason T. Hunt

As Americans flock to the polls today, predictions increasingly favor Republicans to win the 2014-midterm elections. Although Democrats hold out hope to retain control of the Senate, the odds in Republicans’ favor encourage serious thought about how the policy choices of a Republican Senate may or may not differ from the policies of today’s Democratic […]

Syria
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Sept. 27, 2012

NATOSource

Nov 4, 2014

French Foreign Minister: Anti-ISIL Coalition Must Also Save 300,000 Lives In Aleppo

By Laurent Fabius, Washington Post

Syria’s second-largest city and part of humanity’s ancient heritage, Aleppo is the martyred center of the resistance to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad,

France Iraq

MENASource

Nov 4, 2014

What Went Wrong in Idlib?

By Faysal Itani

Last week, Syria’s mainstream opposition suffered a major defeat in its heartland of Idlib province, northern Syria. The al-Qaeda-aligned Jabhat al-Nusra (JAN) captured several key towns from the US-backed Syrian Revolutionaries Front and Harakat al Hazm, with some fighters defecting to JAN.

Syria
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Experts

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Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

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Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management
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