Syria

Syria

Syria stands at a pivotal juncture as it charts a path following the fall of the Assad regime. Syria’s new government faces the task of rebuilding a shattered economy and establishing state institutions capable of managing a diverse and war-affected population. A durable US-Syria partnership depends on sustained cooperation across reconstruction, governance, and Syria’s reintegration.

Featured commentary & analysis

Ricciardone on Working with Turkey in Syria

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

The US is sending Syrian asylees back. Syria isn’t ready.

By
Diana Rayes 

The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status programs crates a troubling global precedent.

Migration
Syria

Ricciardone on Working with Turkey in Syria

MENASource
May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By
Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity
Inclusive Growth

Ricciardone on Working with Turkey in Syria

MENASource
Feb 20, 2026

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

By
Kurt Davis Jr.

There are lessons from Libya’s fragmentation and collapse that can be applied now as Syria sits at a similar inflection point.

Conflict
Libya

Programs

Syria Project

The Syria Project advances policy engagement and international partnerships during a pivotal political transition. It serves as a leading platform for independent analysis and high-level dialogue on US-Syria relations, economic recovery, governance, and regional reintegration, leveraging deep networks across Washington, Damascus, and the broader Middle East.

LEARN MORE

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

In the News

Sep 11, 2014

Ricciardone on Working with Turkey in Syria

By Francis Ricciardone

McClatchy quotes VP and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on conflicting interests in Syria between the United States and Turkey:  

Syria

MENASource

Sep 10, 2014

A Real Anti-ISIS Coalition Would Not Be Regional, But Local

By Faysal Itani

The United States government has repeatedly called for a regional coalition to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). In reality, such a coalition would be difficult to assemble and is unlikely to destroy the group. This is especially true in Syria, where ISIS can retreat and regroup at will, and where there […]

Syria

In the News

Sep 10, 2014

Hof on Obama’s Strategy for Tackling ISIS Threat

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on President Obama’s strategy for combating the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Syria

MENASource

Sep 9, 2014

The Islamic State: First the Strategy, Then What?

By Frederic C. Hof

Not long ago President Barack Obama took some heat for committing truth: for saying that a strategy was not yet in place to counter the pseudo-Islamic, terrorist-criminal phenomenon calling itself the “Islamic State:” a murderous organization dominating pieces of Iraq and Syria, adding up in size to New England.

Syria

In the News

Sep 3, 2014

Ullman: Obama’s Fatal Strategic Flaw?

By Harlan Ullman

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for UPI on President Obama’s strategy for combating the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Syria

In the News

Sep 3, 2014

Slavin: US Official Says ISIS Threatens to Outpace al-Qaeda

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on an address given by National Counterterrorism Center Director Matthew Olsen on the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Iraq Syria

Article

Aug 31, 2014

Column: Saudi-Iran Meeting Could Boost Fight Against Islamic State

By Barbara Slavin

To say that there are a lot of moving pieces in the Middle East these days is certainly an understatement. From Libya to Yemen, Gaza to Iraq, outside powers are intervening in complex confrontations that pit religious fundamentalists against secularists, dictators against democrats and ethnic minorities against each other.

Iraq Libya

In the News

Aug 30, 2014

Slavin on Iraq, Syria

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss international developments making headlines this week:

Syria

In the News

Aug 29, 2014

Hof on US Strategy Against ISIS

By Frederic C. Hof

The Associated Press quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on how the United States might build a regional coalition to strike the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Syria

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
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Amany Qaddour 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Active affiliation

Reem Salahi

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Gareth Stansfield

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Afghanistan Iraq
Load More