Recent analysis

“Why do some hostages die, and some are released?”

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

“Why do some hostages die, and some are released?”

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

“Why do some hostages die, and some are released?”

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.

LEARN MORE

Featured experts

Fellow


Ibrahim Al-Assil


Lead of the Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Conflict

Fellow


Michel Duclos


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict
Crisis Management

Fellow


Arwa Damon


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

Fellow


Ömer Özkizilcik


Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
English

Fellow


Sinan Hatahet


Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Economic Sanctions

Fellow


Diana Rayes 


Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic
Civil Society

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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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

Article

Aug 29, 2014

“Why do some hostages die, and some are released?”

By Nicholas Burns

THIS LAST week’s deeply contrasting stories of two New Englanders caught in the Middle East’s maelstrom of violence — the savage murder of James Foley and the joyous release from captivity of Peter Theo Curtis — point to a central question: Why do some hostages die while others are released?

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Aug 29, 2014

Syria: Waiting For Washington’s Reply

By Frederic C. Hof

As President Barack Obama and his key advisors calculate how best to make life difficult for the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in Syria, one thing is abundantly clear from the president’s words: US collaboration with the Assad regime is beyond the pale.

Syria

In the News

Aug 28, 2014

Mardini on US Military Engagement in Syria

By Ramzy Mardini

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on speculation that US airstrikes against ISIS in Syria may benefit the Assad regime, and the Obama administration’s move to consider military options:

Syria

MENASource

Aug 28, 2014

A Friend of my Father: Iran’s Manipulation of Bashar al-Assad

By Bassam Barabandi and Tyler Jess Thompson

In March 2011, just a few days after the uprisings began in Syria, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, made an unannounced visit to Damascus. He came with a clear message: Do not give in to the Arab Spring in Syria.

Iran Syria

In the News

Aug 28, 2014

Hof on US Airstrikes in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on potential US airstrikes in Syria:

Syria

In the News

Aug 27, 2014

Itani on US Involvement in Iraq and Syria

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani joins NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook to discuss potential US military intervention in Iraq and Syria:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Aug 27, 2014

Itani on ISIS: “Their Ambition Has Made Them More Visible”

By Faysal Itani

Foreign Policy quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the repercussions of the United States becoming involved militarily in Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Aug 26, 2014

ISIS in Syria: Avoiding Assad’s Ambush

By Frederic C. Hof

President Barack Obama’s decision to authorize aerial surveillance of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) positions in Syria suggests that airstrikes employing manned and unmanned aircraft may not be far behind.

Syria

In the News

Aug 26, 2014

Hof on US Cooperation with Assad

By Frederic C. Hof

Christian Science Monitor quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on whether the United States will cooperate with the Assad regime to combat the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Syria

In the News

Aug 26, 2014

Mardini on Risks of Intervening in Syria

By Ramzy Mardini

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the US decision against coordinating airstrikes in Syria with the Assad regime, and scenarios for US intervention:

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Lead of the Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Staff

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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
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