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.

LEARN MORE
Syrian elections ended. What have we learned from the results?

MENASource Sep 5, 2023

The uprising in Sweida will continue until the regime changes in Syria

By Rima Flihan

These demonstrations call for a change in the Syrian regime and the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Syrian elections ended. What have we learned from the results?

MENASource Aug 24, 2023

No quick fixes for the Middle East’s captagon crisis

By Karam Shaar

Counter-captagon policies should look further ahead and deeper into the causes of the demand in the first place.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Syrian elections ended. What have we learned from the results?

MENASource Jun 20, 2023

‘Any nationality just not Syrian’: Refugee deportations surge in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey

By Arwa Damon

While Syria’s neighboring countries have long been struggling to host their Syrian refugee populations, with many, like Lebanon, being in a complete crisis of their own, the sheer lack of care provided to refugees is inhumane.
Civil Society Human Rights
Read More from MENASOURCE

Leadership

Fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

Fellows

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Michel Duclos

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Crisis Management

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Past events

Online Event Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria
Conflict Economic Sanctions Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Event Recap

Mar 29, 2024

Launching the Syria Strategy Project

By JP Reppeto and Charles Johnson

On March 18, 2024, the Atlantic Council’s Syria Project, the Middle East Institute’s Syria Program, the European Institute of Peace, and Madaniya Civil Society Network launched the Syria Strategy, an intensive process of engagement with subject matter experts and policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to […]

Civil Society Conflict
Public Event Mon, March 18, 2024 • 1:00 pm ET

The Syria Strategy Project: A public launch
Civil Society Conflict Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
Load More

Learn more about the Rafik Hariri Center and 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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Sign up for all the latest updates!

Sign up for the MENASource newsletter, highlighting pieces that follow democratic transitions and economic changes throughout the region.



  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Content

MENASource

Aug 16, 2024

Syrian elections ended. What have we learned from the results?

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The new parliament might be rejuvenated with significant turnover, but will likely remain in the service of the top Baath leadership.

Conflict Elections

MENASource

Aug 15, 2024

Red lines and reconciliation: Turkey and Syria’s diplomatic gamble

By Sinan Hatahet, Ömer Özkizilcik

The ongoing situation in Syria presents risks for Turkish security, prompting a search for viable solutions to its multifaceted challenges.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Aug 6, 2024

Can northeast Syria delink from the PKK?

By JP Reppeto

The United States needs effective allies in the northeast to stabilize the area and block an ISIS resurgence, while Turkey must prevent the entrenchment of a PKK-led statelet on its border.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Jul 25, 2024

Syrian elections are decided before election day

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

While the polls were held on July 15, the elections were effectively over at the end of the primaries.

Corruption Elections

MENASource

Jul 24, 2024

Ten years on, Yezidi cases expose a lack of corporate accountability in US genocide law

By Charles Johnson

The Genocide Accountability Act remains poorly equipped to handle cases of genocide in general, let alone to prosecute corporations specifically.

Conflict Human Rights

MENASource

Jul 10, 2024

Syria’s inflated electorate is caused by phantom voters

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The confusion over the true size of the electorate will certainly not be resolved in these elections.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

Jun 24, 2024

The Syrian electoral system guarantees inequality

By Vladimir Pran and Maroun Sfeir

The framework of the block vote is so advantageous to the Baath Party that opposition parties would not stand a chance to win a significant number of seats.

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Jun 18, 2024

From rebel factions to an army: Efforts to tame the Syrian National Army

By Levent Kemal

The ultimate goal of reforming the SNA is to create space for a self-sufficient political actor that organizes public policies.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Jun 4, 2024

Economic recovery in opposition-held Syria is challenging but still possible

By Sinan Hatahet

The United States and its allies can foster an early recovery in opposition-held areas without undermining the UN-led political resolution efforts.

Conflict Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 23, 2024

Is the Assad regime finally facing some justice? What to know about the trial of Syrian officials in Paris.

By Atlantic Council

A landmark trial has begun in Paris of three former Syrian intelligence officials charged with torture, murder, and other crimes. 

Conflict France
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
Load More