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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.

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New Atlanticist

Jan 26, 2012

Foreign Policy Challenges That Will Keep People Awake at Night

By Harlan Ullman

Suppose the very unpredictable and nasty surprises that befell presidential hopeful Mitt Romney last week somehow afflicted global politics on a far grander scale?

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2011

Iran Hedges Its Bets on Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Iran is courting the opposition to Syrian President Bashar al- Assad, seeking to maintain a crucial alliance in the event that Assad falls. So far, Iranian officials have met at least twice with members of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC). The Damascus-based group opposes foreign intervention in Syria and advocates reform to resolve the nine-month-old […]

Iran Syria
Iran

Event Recap

Dec 14, 2011

Iran’s Hand in the Levant

By Adrienne Chuck

The Atlantic Council’s Iran Task Force and Rafik Hariri Center, held a joint public briefing on Iran’s influence in the Levant on December 14.

Iran Syria

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2011

Will NATO Intervene In Syria?

By James Joyner

Among the explanations given for why the West intervened in Libya but has thus far stayed out of the far greater crisis in Syria has been the lack of regional support for action. That excuse appears to be nearing its expiration date.

International Organizations NATO

New Atlanticist

Nov 16, 2011

Beginning of the End for Assad?

By Barbara Slavin

Actions by the Arab League this week have given a regional seal of approval to Syrian opposition forces and could mark the beginning of the end of the Assad family dictatorship that has ruled Syria for more than 40 years. Regional experts and members of the Syrian opposition expect the process to be long, complicated […]

Syria

Event Recap

Nov 4, 2011

After The Arab Spring: The Uphill Struggle for Democracy

By Jason Harmala

On November 4, Freedom House and the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted the release of the 2011 edition of Countries at the Crossroads, a new report from Freedom House, with an expert discussion that, among other things, examined what reform success should look like in these countries a year after the onset […]

Libya Middle East

New Atlanticist

Sep 22, 2011

The Arab Spring: Libya and Syria

By Don Snow

Libya and Syria have become the poster children for the varied impacts that the so-called Arab Spring have had on the Islamic Middle East. They are not the most important countries to have undergone changes (Egypt, the outcome of whose upheaval remains a work in progress, can claim that distinction), but they do represent the […]

Libya Syria

New Atlanticist

Aug 26, 2011

U.S. Humanitarian Activism: Libya and Syria

By Don Snow

The remaining hot spots from the Arab Spring are in Libya and Syria. In both cases, popular uprisings erupted against tyrannical governments inspired at least partially by the Arab Spring events that began in Tunisia and moved quickly to Egypt and elsewhere. Distinguishing characteristics of these two cases, however, have been the continuing brutality of […]

Libya Syria

New Atlanticist

Aug 24, 2011

Libya, Egypt, and Syria: “The LES Countries”

By Harlan Ullman

The term “BRICs” is a virtual cliche. Brazil, Russia, India and China were lumped together as the globe’s “emerging” economic dynamos. Now, if even handedness applies to politics, we should declare the “LES” countries, drawn together by public rebellion against decades of autocratic rule. Libya, Egypt and Syria are the charter members. Whether what happens […]

Libya North Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2009

Obama Outreach Tour Hits Syria and Turkey

By James Joyner

President Obama  is making good on his campaign pledge to reach out to countries with whom relations were strained during the Bush years.  The administration has made a significant overtures to Syria and Turkey today, following yesterday’s outreach to Russia and Iran.

Syria Turkey

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