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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

New Atlanticist

Aug 30, 2013

United States Willing to Go It Alone

By Alex Ward

US President Barack Obama is considering unilateral action against the Syrian regime, despite US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel saying during his trip in Southeast Asia that the United States’ goal is “to find an international coalition that will act together.” The United Kingdom declined to join in a proposed limited strike operation against Syria […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Aug 30, 2013

US and UK Poised to Make Final Decisions on Action in Syria

By Alex Ward

The United Kingdom will wait on the United Nation’s report on chemical weapons use by the Assad regime before it Prime Minister David Cameron goes along with strikes on Syria. The UN inspectors will likely put out their report Saturday, and the UK’s parliament will vote on strike authorization next week. In the United States, […]

Syria
UK Foreign Minister William Hague

NATOSource

Aug 29, 2013

UK Foreign Minister: ‘We Cannot Allow the Use of Chemical Weapons’

By William Hague, Telegraph

We all live under the protection of this global system of arms control, just as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has spared us from the threat of nuclear holocaust, which blighted my parents’ generation.

Syria
United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Aug 29, 2013

Pavel and Itani Discuss Response Options for Syria

From Obama’s “red line” to confirmation of the use of chemical weapons, events in Syria are developing quickly. Atlantic Council experts are appearing in the media daily and posting analysis as events unfold.

Syria
Meeting of NATO Defense Ministers, June 4, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 29, 2013

NATO Supports but Stays Out of Possible Syria Strikes by its Members

By Paul Richter and Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times

The White House got a vote of support from the 28-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the key Western military alliance.

NATO
Security & Defense

MENASource

Aug 29, 2013

Restoring US Credibility in Syria?

By Faysal Itani

The United States appears likely to attack targets in Syria in the next few days. This has triggered speculation in policy circles and the media about possible responses from Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Aug 28, 2013

US Strike on Syria Could Be Prelude to Diplomacy

By Barbara Slavin

It’s hard to accuse the Barack Obama administration of being trigger happy.   While Obama has been willing to use force to kill Taliban and al-Qaida militants, he has studiously avoided embroiling the United States in another war in the Middle East or South Asia.   The apparent U.S. decision to strike Syria for what […]

Iran
National Security

Event Recap

Aug 28, 2013

Experts Highlight Reasons and Implications for Intervention in Syria

Multiple reports have indicated that a US-led Western coalition will strike Syrian military targets “as early as Thursday.” The Obama administration is discussing multiple considerations and contingencies in regard to how it should approach the response to the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, Syria. To discuss these considerations and their implications for Syria, the war, […]

Syria
USAF KC-135R Stratotanker at Incirlik air base

NATOSource

Aug 28, 2013

Turkey may Open İncirlik Base for NATO Mission in Syria

By Murat Yetkin, Hurriyet Daily News

Turkey may open its strategic İncirlik air base for possible military operations into neighboring Syria, if the Western defense alliance NATO decides for an intervention in the ongoing civil war, a ranking Turkish official told the Hürriyet Daily News on Aug. 26.

France
Germany

News

Aug 28, 2013

New Developments in Syria

From Obama’s “red line” to confirmation of the use of chemical weapons, events in Syria are developing quickly. Atlantic Council experts are appearing in the media daily and posting analysis as events unfold.

Syria

Experts