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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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Content

In the News

Aug 14, 2014

Hof: “Syria’s Homicide Program is Systematic and Incremental”

By Frederic Hof

US News and World Report quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on President Obama’s policy toward the conflict in Syria:

Syria

In the News

Aug 14, 2014

Larémont: Obama Is Well-Reasoned, But Inconsistent

By Ricardo René Larémont

Africa Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Ricardo Larémont writes for US News & World Report’s “Debate Club” on the question of whether President Obama should have armed Syrian rebels sooner:

Syria

MENASource

Aug 14, 2014

Obama Won’t Commit to Syria, But Congress Can

By Jason T. Hunt

The United States began directly fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS, aka ISIL, Islamic State) this weekend through airstrikes on its terrorist forces in Iraq. The strikes helped the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdish Regional Government solidify their defenses, stabilizing one front against ISIS. However, ISIS continues to maintain and consolidate a […]

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Aug 13, 2014

Saving Syria Is No Fantasy

By Frederic C. Hof

In June 2014, the Obama administration asked Congress for $500 million to train and equip nationalist Syrian rebels battling both the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Assad regime.

Syria

In the News

Aug 11, 2014

Hof: Saving Syria is No ‘Fantasy’

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof writes for Politico on President Obama’s reluctance to arm the moderate opposition in Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Aug 8, 2014

Airstrikes in Iraq, But Why Not Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

On August 7, President Barack Obama authorized both airstrikes and humanitarian relief in response to attacks launched by the ersatz caliphate of the criminal enterprise calling itself the Islamic State (IS).

Syria

MENASource

Aug 7, 2014

Building a Syrian National Stabilization Force

By Frederic C. Hof

The Obama administration’s request for $500 million in fiscal year 2015 money to arm and equip elements of the Syrian opposition has generated confusion and skepticism.

Syria

MENASource

Aug 6, 2014

Syria: “Caesar” and the Way Forward

By Frederic C. Hof

The July 31 testimony of “Caesar,” the former Syrian military police photographer who spirited out of Syria part of the Assad regime’s photographic archive of detainees it has tortured and starved to death, stunned members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Syria

In the News

Aug 5, 2014

Itani on Effects of Syria Civil War on Lebanon

By Faysal Itani

Mashable quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the effects of the war in Syria on Lebanon: 

Syria
Secretary General Anderss Fog Rasmussen, Nov. 6, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 1, 2014

Five Long-Term Challenges for NATO Beyond the Ukraine Crisis

By Karl-Heinz Kamp, NATO Defense College

NATO needs to find consensus on at least five questions which go far beyond the current crisis in Ukraine.

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