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

Robertson, Ivanov, and Hof Discuss Prospects of Agreement on 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

Robertson, Ivanov, and Hof Discuss Prospects of Agreement on 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

Robertson, Ivanov, and Hof Discuss Prospects of Agreement on 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.

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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

Event Recap

Oct 3, 2013

Robertson, Ivanov, and Hof Discuss Prospects of Agreement on Syria

One month after a US military strike against Syria seemed inevitable, the September 26 United Nations Security Council agreement to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal has opened a new window for international diplomacy. On October 3, the Atlantic Council convened a distinguished panel to discuss prospects for a political settlement to Syria’s seemingly intractable civil […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 2, 2013

Weighing Russia’s Syria Success

By Rajan Menon

Those who have bemoaned the acrimonious exchanges between the United States and Russia, watched with dismay as President Obama’s “reset” with Moscow (more of a marketing moniker than substantive policy) unraveled, and tried valiantly to insist that Russia remains a great power and ought to be respected and embraced by Washington as a partner have had their […]

Syria

MENASource

Sep 30, 2013

Syria: Getting Past the Chemicals

By Frederic C. Hof

The Obama administration and its Secretary of State take pride in achieving, with the cooperation of Russia, a chemical weapons framework agreement and a supporting United Nations Security Council resolution.

Syria

MENASource

Sep 30, 2013

The Rational Syrian Rebel

By Faysal Itani

An Islamist rebel coalition is emerging in Syria, deepening the irrelevance of the US-backed Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and further eroding US influence in the conflict.

Syria
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, April 19, 2013

NATOSource

Sep 27, 2013

Rasmussen: ‘NATO Could Play a Coordinating Role’ in Syria

By Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

[NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh] Rasmussen, whose five-year term ends next summer, sat down in New York with the Monitor to discuss Syria

International Organizations NATO

Press Release

Sep 27, 2013

Jordan’s Queen Rania Asks International Community to “Dig Deeper” in Response to the Refugee Crisis on Jordan’s Border

Her remarks come at the fourth annual Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards dinner, recognizing President Komorowski of the Republic of Poland for his pivotal role in Poland’s extraordinary evolution; Queen Rania Al Abdullah for her advocacy for human rights and promoting cross cultural dialogue; and Maestro Seiji Ozawa for his leadership in the arts. NEW […]

Syria

MENASource

Sep 26, 2013

US Non-Recognition of the Syrian Interim Government

By Frederic C. Hof

Things have not been going well for Syrians opposed to the Assad regime, especially those who favor a united, constitutional, non-sectarian Syria. No news here: this has been the case since 1970, and particularly since March 2011.

Syria
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the Prime Minister of Libya, Ali Zeidan

NATOSource

Sep 26, 2013

NATO Secretary General Holds Talks with Libya, Turkey

By NATO

The Alliance remains open to help the Libyan government rebuild its security sector, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan

International Organizations Libya
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, March 18, 2013

NATOSource

Sep 26, 2013

NATO Still has Vital Role, Secretary General Says

By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY

NATO, the alliance born and bred in the Cold War, has provided good value for the U.S. taxpayer

NATO Security & Defense
F-16 from the Turkish Air Force

NATOSource

Sep 25, 2013

NATO Expects Turkey to Exercise Greater Restraint on Syria

By Lale Kemal, Today's Zaman

Some NATO officials talking to Today’s Zaman recalled that it was not first time that Syrian helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles have violated Turkish air space during their missions to attack the opposition targets.

NATO Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Nadia Farra

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French

Fellow

Bahar Ghandehari

Junior Policy Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan English

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Senior Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation
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