Recent analysis

Explore our Syria work


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.


Group of world leaders sitting around table set up.

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.

Featured experts

Past events

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.

Content

SyriaSource

Dec 5, 2017

A Future in Question: The Uncertain Fate of Syria’s Opposition Media Activists

By Luna Safwan

Media activists opposed to the Syrian government have documented much of the worst of the war in Syria. However, as President Bashar al-Assad regains control of opposition-held territory, these civilian journalists fear they will have no place in Syria’s future. “It’s not like I did not see this coming. What were we expecting? The government will […]

Syria

In the News

Dec 4, 2017

Itani Quoted in The National on Rebuilding Syria Report

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Dec 4, 2017

Itani Quoted in PBS on Syria Disappearances Exhibit

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 1, 2017

HTS Continues to Evolve

By Mona Alami

The arrest, this week, of several prominent jihadists in Syria by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a third and possibly final chapter in the group’s coup against its mother organization al-Qaeda, one that was recognized in a harsh statement by the latter’s leader, Aymen Zawahiri. The controversial move is one way for HTS to finalize […]

Syria

In the News

Nov 29, 2017

Bechev in Ahval: Endgame in Syria?

By Dimitar Bechev

Read the full article here

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 28, 2017

Setting Priorities: Getting the Cart and Horse in Order on US-Syria Policy

By Seth Hershberger

By mid-November, the United States and allied forces kicked out the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) from Raqqa and the Assad regime retook the ISIS stronghold of Abu Kamal, signaling the decline and shift away from ISIS and back to the ongoing civil war. However, the involvement of the United States in Syria, whose “fight […]

Syria

In the News

Nov 28, 2017

Carpenter in the Hill: The United States Cannot Allow Russia to Take the Lead in Syria

By Michael Carpenter

Read the full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 27, 2017

Cooperate with Russia?

By Frederic C. Hof

Russian President Vladimir Putin has all-but-declared victory in Syria. He has welcomed his Syrian counterpart to Moscow and has spoken at length telephonically with President Trump. He has preserved a Syrian family enterprise steeped in criminality and left the “state” he claims to have saved firmly in the hands of Iran. To the extent this […]

Syria

In the News

Nov 20, 2017

Haid in Adopt a Revolution: Resisting Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham

By Haid Haid

Read the full article here

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 20, 2017

Russia’s “Syrian People’s Congress” in Sochi: Goals and Realities

By Neil Hauer

As the active conflict against the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) in Syria draws to a close, Russia has announced plans to host a “Syrian People’s Congress” to begin negotiations for a postwar settlement. Initially planned to occur at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in mid-November, the conference was rescheduled to November 18th in Sochi, Russia before being delayed yet […]

Syria

Experts