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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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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.

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Content

In the News

Jul 18, 2020

Qaddour quoted in Haaretz on UN humanitarian aid in Syria

Human Rights Middle East
refugee resilience

Report

Jul 13, 2020

Turkey’s Refugee Resilience: Expanding and Improving Solutions for the Economic Inclusion of Syrians in Turkey

By Bastien Revel

Since 2014, Turkey has not only hosted the world’s largest refugee population but has also modeled a best practice for the global refugee policy discussion. Turkey’s experience on the key issues such as jobs and employment should be examined as lessons for both refugee hosting countries and donor countries alike.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jul 13, 2020

Qaddour in Syria Untold: Millions of Syrians now rely on just one border crossing for UN aid. How did we get here?

Human Rights Middle East

MENASource

Jul 8, 2020

The Syrian online war of narratives

By Karl Nicolas Lindenlaub

Narrative in the Syrian Civil War acts as a front contested with unprecedented means over an unprecedented scale.

Middle East Syria

Blog Post

Jun 25, 2020

Mapping Russia’s soft power efforts in Syria through humanitarian aid

By Marika Sosnowski and Jonathan Robinson

By mapping where Russia’s Center for Reconciliation of Conflicting Sides in Syria has delivered aid over an 18-month period (between 2018 and 2020), a picture of Russia’s soft power tactics in Syria can be formed.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 1, 2020

Syrian opposition: Move, disband, or do the bidding of others

By Frederic C. Hof

Recent events inside Syria pose a question: Can the Syrian opposition outside Syria play a constructive political role if the regime begins to wobble or topple?

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Press Release

May 15, 2020

Jomana Qaddour to lead Syria portfolio as nonresident senior fellow

Jomana Qaddour to lead Atlantic Council's Syria portfolio as a nonresident senior fellow with the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 12, 2020

Has Moscow really turned against Assad?

By Mark N. Katz

Russian articles criticizing the Assad regime do not presage a Kremlin effort to replace him, but are, instead, a concerted Russian effort to get the Assad regime to change its ways.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 5, 2020

Aid groups desperately look for other options to combat coronavirus

By Borzou Daragahi

The pandemic has prompted organizations to reconfigure the way they provide aid.

Coronavirus Middle East
A net launched from a net-capture system just before catching its target, Quantico, Virginia (December 2018). Source: Red Six Solutions

Issue Brief

May 4, 2020

Drone attacks against critical infrastructure: A real and present threat

By Dr. Scott Crino and Conrad "Andy" Dreby

Read the Middle East Program's new paper on the use of weaponized drones in the Middle East, with recommendations for policymakers.

Drones Middle East

Experts