Syria

Middle East

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

Responding to Assad’s violence against Syrian civilians

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

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

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

SyriaSource

Jun 18, 2019

Responding to Assad’s violence against Syrian civilians

By Frederic C. Hof

Yet it is not the policy of the United States that violent regime change in Syria be pursued. Political transition in Syria from corruptly violent family rule to a system reflecting inclusive legitimacy and rule of law should proceed through peaceful negotiations in accordance with the applicable United Nations Security Council resolutions. But these negotiations are not possible while the constituency of one negotiating party is subject to terror, murder, and flight.

Syria

Issue Brief

Jun 17, 2019

Russia and Iran in Syria—A random partnership or an enduring alliance?

By Ambassador Michel Duclos

Russia and Iran are allies in Syria not out of mutual sympathy, but for pragmatic reasons. Iranian leaders were instrumental in convincing Vladimir Putin to send his air force to Syria to support Bashar al-Assad in September 2015, and the two countries cooperate within Syria to this day. However, their various differences highlight the limits of what looks like an alliance of convenience.

Iran Russia

SyriaSource

Jun 12, 2019

Underestimating the global impact of the Syrian war

By Frederic C. Hof

By Michel Duclos

Read More Here

Syria

SyriaSource

Jun 6, 2019

Syria: why it still matters

By Frederic C. Hof

What has happened in Syria—one of history’s most sustained assaults on innocent human life—has not stayed in Syria. The consequences of mass homicide threaten the security of the United States and the entire Western alliance.

Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Syria

Featured commentary & analysis

The US is sending Syrian asylees back. Syria isn’t ready.

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

Syria is not Libya, but it could become one if the world looks away

Programs

Syria Project

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Content

Responding to Assad’s violence against Syrian civilians

Russia and Iran in Syria—A random partnership or an enduring alliance?

Underestimating the global impact of the Syrian war

New rules of engagement needed as ISIS remains and adapts

Michel Duclos interviewed in France Inter: L’ancien diplomate Michel Duclos est l’invité de Léa Salamé à 7H50. Il publie “La longue nuit syrienne” aux éditions de l’observatoire.

Michele Duclos quoted in Expresy: “the Syrian conflict has triggered a vicious circle”

Michel Duclos quoted in L’express: “le conflit syrien a déclenché un cercle vicieux”

Michel Duclos quoted in Liberation: Pour Al-Assad, tout est permis, il n’y a pas de limite à l’inhumanité

Michel Duclos mentioned in Espirit: La longue nuit syrienne Rencontre avec Michel Duclos

Syria: why it still matters

Experts

Nicholas Blanford

Alia Brahimi

Colin Brooks

Lesley Chavkin

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Arwa Damon

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