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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.

Content

In the News

Jan 9, 2014

Hof Quoted on Nonlethal Aid to Syrian Rebels

By Frederic C. Hof

The New York Times quotes Frederic C. Hof, senior fellow for the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, on the decision to resume nonlethal aid to Syrian rebel groups:

Syria
Syria's 1st batch of chemical weapons materials now onboard the Ark Futura

NATOSource

Jan 8, 2014

First Chemical Weapons Removed From Syria to Danish Ship

By BBC and AP

From BBC:  The first consignment of Syrian chemical weapons materials has left the country on a Danish ship.

China Northern Europe

MENASource

Jan 7, 2014

The Culture of Rebellion in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The latest rebel infighting in Syria illustrates how profoundly the uprising has changed Syrian political culture. In the last week, rebel groups across a broad ideological spectrum mounted coordinated attacks on transnational jihadist militants in the country’s central and northern provinces.

Syria

In the News

Jan 5, 2014

Hof Quoted on Assad’s Endurance

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof is quoted in the Christian Science Monitor on how the Assad regime has positioned itself to outlast rebel factions as peace talks in Geneva near:

Syria

In the News

Jan 3, 2014

Hof Quoted on Syria Conflict

By Frederic C. Hof

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof is quoted in a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial on Syria’s rising death toll:

Syria
Chinese Frigate

NATOSource

Dec 20, 2013

Chinese Military Ship Will Help Guard Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons

By New York Times, Reuters, & South China Morning Post

From Jane Perlez, New York Times:  The same day that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel of the United States blasted the actions of a Chinese ship in the South China Sea as “irresponsible,” China announced that it would deploy a military ship to work with an American vessel involved in the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.

China Italy

MENASource

Dec 20, 2013

Syria: Will Russia Deliver at Geneva?

By Frederic C. Hof

Moscow’s decision to block a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning human rights abuses in Syria—catastrophic abuses authored in the main by a family regime posing as a government—should cast serious doubt on any expectation of Russia facilitating a Syrian political transition at the conference scheduled for Montreux and Geneva on January 22. Moscow seems perfectly […]

Syria

MENASource

Dec 18, 2013

Syria: Stopping the Carnage

By Frederic C. Hof

The greatest humanitarian catastrophe of the twenty-first century has unfolded before our eyes in Syria and in the countries surrounding it. As a harsh winter tightens its grip, Syrians in large numbers are dying, starving, fleeing, freezing, and crying out to the world for help.

Syria

MENASource

Dec 13, 2013

Syria: Extremism as a Force for Good

By Frederic C. Hof

Karl Rove, onetime senior advisor to President George W. Bush, reportedly told an interviewer, “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality.” Substitute the word “speak” for “act” and one has the reality-creating corollary of the Obama administration.

Syria

MENASource

Dec 12, 2013

Saving Syria’s Children

By Frederic C. Hof

Last night on December 11, 2013 Ambassador Frederic C. Hof delivered opening remarks at the US premier of BBC’s Panorama film Saving Syria’s Children hosted by the Embassy of the United Kingdom.

Syria

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