Syria

Middle East

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

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

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

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.

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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

Jan 19, 2014

Hof: Syria Needs a Truce before Talks

By Frederic C. Hof

Frederic C. Hof, senior fellow for the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, writes in the Financial Times on the upcoming Syria peace talks in Geneva:

Syria

An Antonov An-124 with two Sukhoi Su-27s

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2014

Russia Steps Up Military Aid to Syria’s Assad – Sources

By Jonathan Saul, Reuters

In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him

Drones Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 16, 2014

To Solve Syria, First Get Assad to Accept UN Aid Workers

By James Rupert

The US and its allies must address their Syria policies to the humanitarian catastrophe of millions of Syrians uprooted or brutalized by the civil war there – and must do it for reasons of realpolitik as well as humanitarianism, according to Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Frederic Hof, a former State Department advisor on Syria. As […]

Syria

In the News

Jan 15, 2014

Hof Talks Syria Donor Conference

By Frederic C. Hof

Hariri Center for the Middle East Senior Fellow Frederic C. Hof joins NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss the donors conference in Kuwait aimed at raising humanitarian aid for Syria:

Syria

MENASource

Jan 13, 2014

Syrian Peace Talks: What is Achievable Near Term?

By Frederic C. Hof

We came together this morning, and we are planning for a Geneva II conference next week for a simple reason: because there is no military solution to the violence that has displaced millions and taken more than 130,000 lives. There is no other alternative to ending this violence and saving the state of Syria than […]

Syria

NATOSource

Jan 10, 2014

Germany’s Contribution to the OPCW-UN Mission in Syria

By German Foreign Ministry

In response to a request from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the German Government has decided that Germany will make a substantial contribution towards the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.

Germany Syria

MENASource

Jan 10, 2014

Syria Ban Ki-moon’s Geneva Conference Invitation

By Frederic C. Hof

On January 6 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dispatched written invitations to a “Geneva Conference on Syria” in Switzerland to be convened under his chairmanship. The conference would open with a plenary “high-level format” in Montreux on January 22, where “international participants will be present to demonstrate their meaningful support for constructive negotiations between the […]

Syria

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

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

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Syria

Featured commentary & analysis

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

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

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

Programs

Syria Project

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Content

Hof: Syria Needs a Truce before Talks

Russia Steps Up Military Aid to Syria’s Assad – Sources

To Solve Syria, First Get Assad to Accept UN Aid Workers

Hof Talks Syria Donor Conference

Syrian Peace Talks: What is Achievable Near Term?

Germany’s Contribution to the OPCW-UN Mission in Syria

Syria Ban Ki-moon’s Geneva Conference Invitation

Hof Quoted on Nonlethal Aid to Syrian Rebels

First Chemical Weapons Removed From Syria to Danish Ship

The Culture of Rebellion in Syria

Experts

Nicholas Blanford

Alia Brahimi

Colin Brooks

Lesley Chavkin

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Arwa Damon

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