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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

Feb 17, 2018

Itani Quoted in USA Today on Syria Civil War

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 16, 2018

Is Russia Seeking a Peaceful Path?

By Frederic C. Hof

Between Moscow and Washington there is agreement on the desirability of a Syria reflecting territorial integrity, stability, empowered local governance, legitimate national governance, an active civil society, and a country rebuilding its physical infrastructure and its sense of shared citizenship. Even Iran might pose no objection to such an outcome, provided Syria remains a superhighway […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 15, 2018

Simakovsky Quoted in CNBC on US Airstrike in Syria

By Mark Simakovsky

Read the full article here

Russia Syria

MENASource

Feb 14, 2018

Russia: Is Syria’s fate Libya’s future?

By Erin A. Neale

On February 17th, Libyans will celebrate the anniversary of a revolt that ultimately toppled and killed Muammar Qaddafi, ending his forty-two-year oppressive rule. This anniversary and others in the region are regrettable reminders of how the expectations in the immediate aftermath of the Arab Spring compare to the reality on the ground seven years later. […]

Libya Russia

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2018

Russian Casualties and Moscow’s Intent

By Frederic C. Hof

Reporting out of Moscow suggests that some number of armed Russians—up to 200—were killed by the US-led, anti-ISIS coalition after crossing the Euphrates River deconfliction line in eastern Syria on February 7.  If the reports are true, this was by far the bloodiest incident for Russian personnel since Moscow’s military intervention in Syria at the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 12, 2018

Iran and Israel’s New Rules of Engagement

By Feras Hanoush

A confrontation escalated along the Syrian-Israeli front the morning of February 10, opening a new destabilizing chapter to the Syrian war. A Syrian anti-aircraft battery downed an Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft that had penetrated Syrian airspace, seriously wounding the pilot. The incident immediately sparked Israeli air attacks on Syrian and Iranian rocket platforms.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2018

Talking Turkey

By Carmen Gentile

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip to the Middle East this week comes amid escalating tensions between NATO allies Turkey and the United States as their forces stare down one another in war-ravaged northern Syria. While Tillerson’s agenda is notably missing a stop in Israel, the secretary will meet with leaders in Turkey, as […]

Syria Turkey

In the News

Feb 9, 2018

Itani Joins VOA to Discuss Current State of Syria

By Faysal Itani

Watch the full discussion here

Syria

Rebuilding Syria

Feb 9, 2018

Stabilization vs Reconstruction: What is the Long Term Role of the US in Syria?

By Emily Burchfield

A key component of the new US policy towards Syria, as outlined by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in his address at Stanford, is its focus on stabilization efforts in areas cleared of the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh). Stabilization efforts, according to Tillerson, aim to bring about two of the five desired end states […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 8, 2018

Bechev in Ahval: The False Promise of De-Escalation in Syria

By Dimitar Bechev

Read the full article here

Syria

Experts