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

Syria: Talk to Assad?

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

Syria: Talk to Assad?

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

Syria: Talk to Assad?

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

MENASource

Dec 9, 2013

Syria: Talk to Assad?

By Frederic C. Hof

Commenting recently to The New York Times, Ryan Crocker (the former United States ambassador to Syria and several other places) suggested, “We need to start talking to the Assad regime again… It will have to be done very, very quietly. But bad as Assad is, he is not as bad as the jihadis who would […]

Syria

MENASource

Dec 6, 2013

Unintended Consequences in Syria

By Faysal Itani

The most significant development in the Syrian conflict is neither chemical weapons disarmament nor international posturing over the Geneva II process, but US engagement with the newly-formed Jabha al-Islamiyya, or Islamic Front—a coalition of Islamist nationalist militia. After two and a half years of hand-wringing, meandering, and denial, US strategy in Syria finally began to […]

Syria

MENASource

Dec 6, 2013

Ambassador Fred Hof Address to the Harvard National & International Security Program on Syria

By MENASource

After months of tentative dates, preliminary conferences, and backroom wrangling, the Geneva II peace talks are now penciled in for January 22. Considering the track record of delays, it is fair to wonder if this new date will stick. But the larger question facing the Geneva process is whether a diplomatic solution to the Syrian […]

Syria
Denmark's HDMS Vaedderen

NATOSource

Dec 6, 2013

Denmark and Norway Offer to Transport Chemical Weapons Out of Syria

By Foreign Ministry of Norway

Based on decisions by the United Nations Security Council and the OPCW, Norway and Denmark have agreed to offer a joint contribution to the transportation of chemical warfare agents out of Syria.

International Organizations Northern Europe
President Barack Obama on Air Force One

NATOSource

Dec 4, 2013

Majority of Americans Disapprove of Obama’s Handling of Foreign Policy

By Pew Research Center

Foreign policy, once a relative strength for President Obama, has become a target of substantial criticism. By a 56% to 34% margin more disapprove than approve of his handling of foreign policy.

Europe & Eurasia Syria

MENASource

Nov 27, 2013

Syria: Is a Diplomatic Solution Possible?

By Frederic C. Hof

The suffering of Syrians inside their tortured, broken country is unspeakable.  Even those not yet driven from their homes or banished by fear from their country of birth cannot escape the consequences of pure evil unleashed.  In recent days a young woman from the family that hosted me in Damascus as an exchange student eons […]

Syria

MENASource

Nov 25, 2013

Syria: Towards a Strategic Reappraisal

By Frederic C. Hof

The closing session of the 2013 Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul featured a lively discussion of what to do about the mess that is Syria.  The four panelists included former national security advisors to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, a member of the European Parliament, and a prominent Turkish journalist.  […]

Syria
Rebels training in Syria

NATOSource

Nov 22, 2013

Six Islamist Factions Unite in Largest Syria Rebel Merger

By AFP, BBC, and Reuters

From AFP:  Six key Islamist groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria joined forces on Friday, a spokesman for Aleppo’s biggest rebel force said.

Syria
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius

NATOSource

Nov 19, 2013

French Foreign Minister Sees ‘Isolationist Tendency’ in US Foreign Policy

By Roger Cohen, New York Times

There is talk of the trauma of Aug. 31. On that Saturday afternoon President [Francois] Hollande took a call from President [Barack] Obama.

France Iran
President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel

NATOSource

Nov 15, 2013

Europe Loses Trust in Obama

By John Vinocur, Wall Street Journal

The U.S. president’s turnabouts on Syria and Iran—coupled with his policy fumbles at home—have diminished European allies’ traditional respect for the White House.

Europe & Eurasia Germany
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Experts

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society
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