Recent analysis

Ward: There’s No Obama Doctrine. Period.

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

Ward: There’s No Obama Doctrine. Period.

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

Ward: There’s No Obama Doctrine. Period.

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

Former fellow


Qutaiba Idlbi


Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions
Entrepreneurship

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

Former fellow


Hind Kabawat


Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

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

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

In the News

Jun 2, 2014

Ward: There’s No Obama Doctrine. Period.

By Alex Ward

Brent Scowcroft Center Program Assistant Alex Ward writes for The Diplomat on President Obama’s foreign policy–or the lack thereof:

Syria

MENASource

Jun 2, 2014

Syria: Keeping it Simple

By Frederic C. Hof

The complexity of Syria’s ongoing crisis and confusion over what to do about it should not obscure the choice facing the United States, its allies and its partners.

Syria

MENASource

Jun 2, 2014

The Kurds and the Future of Assad

By Wladimir van Wilgenburg

President Bashar al-Assad’s recent victories in Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus could pose a threat to Kurdish gains in the future. In the run-up to the Syrian presidential elections taking place on June 3, clashes increased between Kurds and government. If the stalemate continues, the Kurds will benefit, but if one side wins—either Assad, or the […]

Syria

In the News

Jun 1, 2014

Hof on Upcoming Syrian Presidential Elections

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s likely victory in his country’s upcoming elections:

Syria

In the News

May 30, 2014

Itani: Is the US Inadvertently Helping Hezbollah?

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani writes  for The Hill on how well-intentioned policy by the United States may actually be harming the situation in Syria:

Middle East Syria

MENASource

May 29, 2014

Syria: What Does the President Really Want?

By Frederic C. Hof

President Barack Obama’s West Point commencement address seemed to signal, albeit ambiguously, a new direction in US policy toward Syria: one in which “the president will seek the support of Congress in arming, training, and equipping Syrian rebels.” But not so fast. In a subsequent background briefing an unnamed senior administration official said that what […]

Syria

MENASource

May 28, 2014

Syria: President Obama At West Point

By Frederic C. Hof

In his graduation ceremony remarks of May 28 at the United States Military Academy, President Obama implied an explicit new policy direction with respect to Syria. The president announced that he would call on Congress “to support a new Counter-Terrorism Partnership Fund of up to $5 billion, which will allow us to train, build capacity, […]

Syria

In the News

May 28, 2014

Pavel on Obama’s Address at West Point

By Barry Pavel

VP and Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel joins KPCC’s AirTalk to discuss President Obama’s address to the graduating class at the US Military Academy at West Point:

Syria

In the News

May 28, 2014

Hof on Whether US Policy Towards Syria is Shifting

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof joins PRI’s The World to discuss President Obama’s speech at West Point and whether there is a shift in US policy towards Syria:

Syria

In the News

May 28, 2014

Itani on Jordan’s Struggle to Absorb Syrian Refugees

By Faysal Itani

The Christian Science Monitor quotes Resident Fellow of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Faysal Itani on the toll Syrian refugees have taken on its neighbor Jordan:

Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

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

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism
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