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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

Jul 26, 2017

Itani Quoted in Christian Science Monitor on CIA Program in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Jul 26, 2017

Itani Quoted in The Christian Science Monitor on Syria Pivot

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

Rebuilding Syria

Jul 25, 2017

Underground Hospitals: Investing in Protection

By Kathleen Fallon

Throughout the conflict in Syria, regime forces and their allies have deliberately and systematically targeted medical workers, ambulances, and hospitals in opposition-held areas. There have been more than 454 attacks on medical facilities in the conflict, with the Assad regime and Russia responsible for ninety-one percent of them. Over 814 Syrian health workers have been […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 25, 2017

Thinking About Strategy: Part One

By Frederic C. Hof

The decision of the Trump administration to end its support for armed, anti-Assad Syrian rebels again raises questions of what the United States considers a desirable and attainable end-state for Syria, and how it plans to achieve it. These questions were avoided by an Obama administration that treated Syria’s humanitarian and security catastrophes as a […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 24, 2017

Idlib Waits for Liberation from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham

By Saleem al-Omar

The preacher climbed the pulpit, his head covered, with an air of prestige and dignity. But the worshippers quickly realized he was a member of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance dominated by former al-Qaeda affiliate Fatah al-Sham, and paid little attention to what he said. He took out a smartphone and recited his sermon […]

Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2017

Itani in The Atlantic: The End of American Support for Syrian Rebels Was Inevitable

By Faysal Itani

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Jul 20, 2017

Itani Joins PBS to Discuss Why the U.S. Strategy of Arming Syrian Rebels Didn’t Work

By Faysal Itani

Watch the full broadcast here.

Syria

In the News

Jul 20, 2017

Hof Quoted in The Washington Post on Demise of CIA’s Anti-Assad Program

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 20, 2017

LISTEN: Aaron Stein’s Take on Continued US Military Involvement in Syria, Despite Ending the CIA Program

By SyriaSource

On July 19, the Trump administration decided to end the CIA program meant to arm moderate Syrian rebels fighting against Bashar al-Assad. While the CIA ‘train and equip’ program ends, the US military involvement continues through air strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), and a Pentagon run train and equip program for the […]

Syria

In the News

Jul 19, 2017

Hof Quoted in Business Insider on Ending Support for Syrian Rebel Groups

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

Experts