Syria

The Syrian conflict that began with nonviolent local protests in 2011 has since evolved into a geopolitical and humanitarian crisis. The devastating military campaign led by the Syrian regime, supported by the Russian and Iranian governments and their proxies has led to mass displacement, arrests, torture, and catastrophic loss of life. Along with other global powers, the United States faces important decisions regarding its future role in Syria. Centering Syrian voices is critical during this period of stabilization as the war-torn country grapples with security, economic, and political challenges amidst ongoing regional and international competition.

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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.


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.

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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.

Content

In the News

Oct 21, 2017

Stein Quoted in The Times of Israel on Impact of Raqqa’s Fall

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Oct 20, 2017

Alami in Al-Monitor: Following Islamic State Ouster, Tribes Key to Stability in Eastern Syria

By Mona Alami

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Oct 20, 2017

al-Kattan Quoted in AP on Devastation in Raqqa

By Rashad al-Kattan

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Oct 18, 2017

Stein Quoted in Middle East Eye on Post-Raqqa IS

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Oct 18, 2017

Haid in CNN: Driving Out ISIS is Just the Start — Rebuilding Raqqa Will Take Years

By Haid Haid

Read the full article here.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2017

Raqqa Falls. Now Comes the Hard Part

By Ashish Kumar Sen

As the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is driven from its strongholds in Syria, US-backed forces face the challenge of stabilizing these conflict-ravaged territories. This task is made more urgent by the fact that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and Iran-backed militias are swooping in on eastern Syria in an attempt to capitalize […]

Iraq Syria

In the News

Oct 17, 2017

Hof Joins KPCC to Discuss Next Moves for Raqqa

By Frederic C. Hof

Listen to the full discussion here.

Syria

SyriaSource

Oct 17, 2017

A Life of Exile: The Continued Suffering of Syrian IDPs

By Hasan Arfeh

Local agreements between the Syrian regime and opposition forces may have lessened the violence, but they have not ended the suffering of Syrians. Such deals, in which the regime uses bombing and blockades to force the opposition to surrender, have moved many Syrians from their towns in the Damascus hinterland towards rural Idlib, where they […]

Syria

In the News

Oct 17, 2017

Hof Quoted in Christian Science Monitor on Syria’s Approach to Business with Assad Regime

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

In the News

Oct 17, 2017

Hof Quoted in Yahoo on Assad’s Relationship with Syria

By Frederic Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

Experts

Events