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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

Jan 15, 2018

Alami in The New Arab: Syrian Rebel Losses Do Not Mean Victory for Assad

By Mona Alami

Read the full article here

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 12, 2018

De-Escalation Agreements On the Brink of Failure

By Abdullah Almousa

In a fourth round of talks on 4 May, 2017, the nations overseeing the Astana negotiations (Turkey, Russia, and Iran) arrived at a “de-escalation” agreement to establish safe zones in Syria. This development came as military factions were severely weakened over an uninterrupted two-year period of violent and asymmetric clashes in all parts of Aleppo. […]

Syria

In the News

Jan 11, 2018

Stein Quoted in Business Insider on Russia’s Military Base in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 9, 2018

Syria: In the Hands of Russia and Iran

By Michel Duclos

On December 11, Vladimir Putin declared the beginning of the end of Russia’s involvement in Syria, and proclaimed his “victory” from the Russian base of Hmeimim. In the same speech, he indicated that the conditions have been met for a political settlement of the Syrian war.

Syria

In the News

Jan 9, 2018

Hof Quoted in Voice of America on Russia’s Troop Withdrawal From Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 8, 2018

Hope for Syria in 2018?

By Frederic C. Hof

Is there any hope at all that a New Year’s wish for Syrian peace and quiet will be fulfilled? Yes, there is always hope. But if there is anything to be learned from the sad spectacle of Western (mainly American) Syria policy over the past nearly seven years, it is that hope—accompanied only by lofty […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 5, 2018

The Legacy of ISIS-Manufactured Mines in Raqqa

By Feras Hanoush

Following the agreement and the subsequent withdrawal of the Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh) from Raqqa on October 15, 2016, ISIS fighters warned “the land will fight for us,” in reference to the large number of mines planted by the group where practically every house and street is laced with dozens of them. Throughout the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 4, 2018

Rivalry Between al-Jabha al-Shamiya and Sultan Murad

By Mohammad Dirania

On October 10, 2017, al-Jabha al-Shamiya (the Levantine Front) handed over the Bab al-Salama checkpoint along the Turkish-Syrian border, to the Syrian interim government along with all its staff and financial resources. This was part of a bid to empower the interim administration, born out of the Syrian National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 2, 2018

Protecting Syrian Civilians: The Road Not Taken

By Frederic C. Hof

During 70 months of chaos in Syria, the United States had protected not one Syrian civilian from the homicidal rampages of Bashar al-Assad and his remorseless regime. Yes, America had come militarily to the aid of Syrian Kurds besieged by ISIS (ISIL, Daesh, Islamic State). Yet the United States had protected no one in Syria […]

Syria

In the News

Dec 23, 2017

Itani Joins NPR to Discuss the Status of the Civil War in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here

Syria

Experts