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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.

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MENASource

Nov 3, 2014

What Would the Turkish Buffer Zone Mean for Syria’s Displaced?

By Matthew Hall, a Q&A with Elizabeth Ferris

In September, the radical jihadist group ISIS launched a major offensive in northeastern Syria, overrunning scores of Kurdish villages along the warpath to Kobani, a strategic town on the Turkish border.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Oct 30, 2014

Hof: The US Plan in Syria Is a “Tough Sell”

By Frederic C. Hof

The Los Angeles Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on the US strategy for combating the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Syria

In the News

Oct 30, 2014

Hof on the US “Goldilocks” Approach in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof joins NPR Morning Edition to discuss US policy in Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Oct 29, 2014

ISIS Control Over Eastern Syria More Fragile Than You Might Think

By Mona Alami

Syria observers have balked at the rapid growth of capabilities and territory acquired by the Islamic State in Iraq al-Sham (ISIS, ISIL, or Islamic State) as it confronts global powers on many fronts. But ISIS’s successes in eastern Syria cannot be explained from a military and ideological standpoint alone.

Syria

In the News

Oct 29, 2014

Ricciardone on the US-Turkey Relationship

By Francis Ricciardone

The Washington Post quotes VP and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on how the crisis in Syria has affected the US-Turkish relationship:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Oct 28, 2014

Hof on the US “Analyst-in-Chief”

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on the current state of US policy toward Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Oct 28, 2014

General Allen on Building a Syrian Force

By Frederic C. Hof

Special Presidential Envoy General John Allen did his best in an Asharq Al-Awsat interview to square the circle of an unsustainable Syria policy in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, ISIL, or the Islamic State).

Syria

In the News

Oct 27, 2014

Hof on Obama’s “Goldilocks” Approach on ISIS and Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Business Insider quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on President Obama’s strategy regarding the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham as well as the ongoing crisis in Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Oct 22, 2014

Syria’s Role in the Battle Against ISIS

By Frederic C. Hof

For over three years the Obama administration viewed the struggle for Syria as something well worth avoiding. Even as Assad-regime atrocities piled the bodies high and drove millions from their homes—enabling an aggressively murderous caliphate to arise in the east while Iran, Hezbollah, and their Syrian client solidified a grip on the west—the administration focused […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2014

Turkey Moves Toward Helping Syria’s Kurds—and Calming Its Own

By Sabine Freizer

Ankara’s Handling of Syrian War Has Revived Its Own Kurdish Conflict Turkey’s promise Monday to let Iraqi Kurdish guerrillas cross its border to defend the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani against the Islamist army of ISIS provides a rare sign of hope for saving Turkey’s moribund peace process with its own Kurds. Turkey’s refusal until […]

Syria Turkey

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