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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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Content

In the News

Dec 21, 2018

Slavin Quoted in ABC on US troop withdrawal from Syria

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 21, 2018

With US withdrawal, EU left alone to manage the Syrian crisis

By Mona Alami

The defeat of the last Islamic State (ISIS) stronghold in Syria concomitant with the sudden US announcement of troops withdrawal from the northeast; leaves Europe in a tight spot. In recent years, EU governments have spent billions to mitigate the repercussions of the refugee wave resulting from the Syrian war while working towards normalization with the regime on a fair transition process.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

James Mattis: Leading by example

By Frederic C. Hof

Consistent with his record of service, he has chosen the path of honorable exit.  In this administration he will likely be alone.

Defense Policy Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

Trump exits Syria: blundering toward a very Dangerous situation

By Nabeel Khoury

Trump’s decision to pull US troops out of Syria without a thought-through discussion and coordination with NATO allies, who have supported the war on ISIS, has angered senior advisers in and out of the administration. 

Defense Policy Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

Mattis heads for the exit

By Ashish Kumar Sen

While Trump wrote in a tweet that his defense secretary was “retiring” at the end of February; Mattis made clear he was resigning over policy differences with the president.

Syria

In the News

Dec 20, 2018

Wechsler quoted in Associated Press on Trump’s plans to withdraw troops from Syria

By William Wechsler

Read the full article here.

Syria

Rebuilding Syria

Dec 20, 2018

Act in haste, repent at leisure

By Frederic C. Hof

An American president impetuously overrules his national security team with a sudden decision on Syria; one that pleases the Kremlin, undermines US policy, and damages his own credibility. Essentially unmoored to the national security apparatus over which he presides, the president—strongly influenced by the views of a foreign leader—thinks he knows best in any event. […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2018

Trump’s Syria decision poses more questions than answers

By Frederic C. Hof

ISIS has not—contrary to the statement—been militarily terminated in Syria by the anti-ISIS Global Coalition: something to which the United States Department of Defense will attest.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 19, 2018

US preparing to withdraw troops from Syria: what does it mean?

By David A. Wemer

"This will also have positive repercussions for ISIS that still operates in eastern Syria. By the US' own admission, not enough fighters have been trained to stabilize the region after the victory against ISIS." said Mona Alami, Atlantic Council nonresident senior fellow.

Conflict Defense Policy

Event Recap

Dec 19, 2018

Event Recap: US Syria Envoy: Syrian Kurds’ Future Lies in Syria

By David A. Wemer

This recap originally appeared in The New Atlanticist.  The eventual goal of the mainly-Kurdish Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) should be “to become part of the fabric of a changed Syrian society,” US Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey said at the Atlantic Council in Washington on December 17. Distancing the United States from the prospect of […]

Syria

Experts