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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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In the News

Oct 10, 2014

Itani on Strategic Importance of Kobani

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins the John Batchelor Show to discuss the strategic importance of Kobani to Turkey, Syria, and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham: Listen to the full interview.

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Oct 10, 2014

Syria: A Problem In Search of a Strategy

By Frederic C. Hof

As matters now stand, the Obama administration sees the Syrian side of the anti-Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, or the Islamic State) military campaign in the context of a headquarters/safe-haven for an enemy whose main target is Iraq.

Syria

In the News

Oct 9, 2014

Ricciardone and Hof on Buffer Zone on Turkish-Syrian Border

By Francis Ricciardone, Frederic Hof

The New York Times quotes VP and Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone and Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on Turkey’s push for a buffer zone along its border with Syria:

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Oct 9, 2014

Kobani, Kurds, Turks, and Airstrikes: A Fine Kettle Of Fish

By Frederic C. Hof

Although the expression “a fine kettle of fish” has been around for hundreds of years to characterize a confused, awkward, messy, and even intractable situation, it was revived in the first half of the 20th century by comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Barack Obama, Dec. 7, 2009

NATOSource

Oct 8, 2014

US Official Accuses Turkey of ‘Inventing Reason Not to Act’ Against Daesh

By Mark Landler, Anne Barnard, and Eric Schmitt, New York Times

While Turkish troops watched the fighting in Kobani through a chicken-wire fence, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that the town was about to fall and Kurdish fighters warned of an impending blood bath if they were not reinforced

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Oct 6, 2014

Biden on the Rise of ISIS

By Frederic C. Hof

The Vice President of the United States spent part of his weekend on the phone to American allies and friends apologizing for remarks he made on Friday, October 3, at Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

Syria

MENASource

Oct 3, 2014

The Campaign Against ISIS: Is Syria an Afterthought?

By Frederic C. Hof

There is a belief in certain quarters of the Pentagon, and perhaps elsewhere in the executive branch, that the military mission of the campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, or ISIL) is to defeat ISIS in Iraq; that airstrikes in Syria are intended only to enhance the ability of the Iraqi […]

Syria

Issue Brief

Oct 2, 2014

ISIS war game: The coming stalemate

By Bilal Y. Saab and Michael S. Tyson

On September 22, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security conducted a war game to examine the type of strategic interaction that might ensue between the US-led coalition and Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) fighters over the next six months. The latest issue brief from the Brent Scowcroft Center on International […]

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Oct 2, 2014

Syria: Give Diplomacy a Fighting Chance

By Frederic C. Hof

Even habitual critics of the United Nations should acknowledge that its Secretary-General has recruited top-drawer international diplomatic talent in the search for peace in Syria. Kofi Annan, Lakhdar Brahimi, and now Staffan de Mistura: statesmen who lack little in resourcefulness, creativity, discipline, and dedication.

Syria

In the News

Oct 2, 2014

Itani on the al-Nusra Front

By Faysal Itani

McClatchy quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the US stance on the al-Nusra Front and its implications for moderate rebel groups: 

Syria

Experts