Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), walk together near Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province - source: Reuters

Facilitating the New SDF Agreement Is Key to Stabilizing Syria

The Kurdish-led group has reached important understandings with the new leadership in Damascus, but finalizing and implementing them while resolving points of contention will require further help from the United States and its partners.

Apr 2, 2025

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Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Anti-Hamas protesters demonstrate in Gaza in March 2025 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Gaza Protests Can Contribute to Outside Pressure on Hamas

Although the unusually bold demonstrations are unlikely to shake the group’s local control, they have cracked the barrier of fear that Hamas nurtured inside Gaza and offer an opportunity to amplify alternative Palestinian voices.

Mar 27, 2025

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Neomi Neumann
Nikhil Samuel

Brief Analysis

Iraq’s PMF Law Is No Substitute for Real Security Reform

The Trump administration should not be duped by the supposed “reforms” that militia leaders are considering in parliament, which threaten to turn the PMF into another Iranian “Revolutionary Guard” and keep U.S.-designated terrorists in key posts.

Mar 17, 2025

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

Photo showing Gaza residents spinning sparklers at the start of Ramadan, March 2025.

Video

Brief Analysis

Gaza Phase 2: Sorting Out the Political and Security Scenarios

What do Palestinians, Israelis, and external players see as the best option for Gaza and its people now that the first phase of the ceasefire is complete?

Mar 14, 2025

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Neomi Neumann
Harel Chorev
Tamar Hermann
Ghaith al-Omari
David Schenker

Video

Articles & Testimony

Hope for al-Hol? The Syria Breakdown, Episode Six

Does Syria's transition away from Assad regime tyranny offer hope for closing detention camps, which have been home to thousands of internally displaced persons and Islamic State supporters?

Mar 13, 2025

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Devorah Margolin

◆ The Syria Breakdown

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. president Donald Trump at the White House - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Resetting U.S. Relations with the Palestinian Authority?

After boycotting Trump in his first term, Ramallah now seeks to improve the relationship, giving Washington an opening to address the PA’s shortcomings without distracting from other Middle East priorities.

Mar 12, 2025

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Ghaith al-Omari

Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, addresses soldiers loyal to the new regime - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Enough with the Hand-Wringing: Al-Sharaa Is Better Than Assad

Despite well-founded worries about the rise of an Islamist government in Syria, the new rulers cannot be any worse than the previous regime—especially now that they are largely disarmed and disinclined to partner with U.S. adversaries like Iran and Russia.

Mar 11, 2025

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David Schenker

A Syrian man points at bullet holes in a window of a hospital in Jableh town, 25 km south of Latakia, following a spate of violence between Syrian security forces and insurgents loyal to deposed president Bashar al-Assad - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Syria’s Transitional Honeymoon Is Over After Massacres and Disinformation

Amid mounting civilian deaths and rampant disinformation, the conduct of Syria’s fact-finding committee will either make or break the new government’s legitimacy and the prospects for a stable transition.

Mar 10, 2025

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Syrian civilians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in downtown Damascus in December 2024 - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Inside the New Syria: The First Three Months

Activists and experts from Syria, Europe, and Washington share on-the-ground insights about how the post-Assad transition is going and where local grievances might erupt into bigger problems.

Mar 7, 2025

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Gregory Waters
Sawsan Abou Zainedin
Ferhad Ahma
Rahaf Aldoughli

Iranians shop in a Tehran market ahead of Nowruz celelbrations in 2024 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Sour National Mood Could Complicate U.S. Engagement

When it comes to fixing serious problems with the economy, energy, and other sectors, the reformists have been just as ineffective as the hardliners, eroding any legitimacy they might claim to reopen nuclear negotiations with Washington.

Mar 6, 2025

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Patrick Clawson

Map of Syria, sanctions "tape," new Syrian flag, Bashar al-Assad, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Muhammad al-Jolani)

In-Depth Reports

Navigating the Syria Sanctions Conundrum

Washington should act quickly to facilitate transactions for key sectors such as electricity, food, and rubble removal, lest public discontent lead to widespread protests and possibly government collapse.

Mar 5, 2025

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Matthew Levitt

Sunbathers gather on Al-Baida beach in Lebanon - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Trump Should Aim for a “Riviera” in Lebanon

Beirut stands at the goal line of a major win for the Middle East, but only if America quarterbacks the last push.

Mar 3, 2025

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Hanin Ghaddar
Zohar Palti

Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani speaks during a meeting with Syrian diaspora after the International Conference on Syria in Paris on February 13, 2025 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Post-Paris Steps in Syria Could Be Decisive

With the clock ticking on the post-Assad honeymoon period, Washington still has time to acknowledge the realities on the ground by providing crucial U.S. know-how and strategic support to the international aid, recovery, and counterterrorism missions.

Feb 28, 2025

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Devorah Margolin
Aaron Y. Zelin

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Turkey's president Erdogan in Ankara in 2025 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

A New Age for Turkish Relations with Syria

Ankara and Washington should offer incentives to the new leadership in Damascus to encourage an inclusive governance process and make Syria work.

Feb 20, 2025

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Soner Cagaptay

Iranian-American demonstrators hold signs at a protest in Washington, DC - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Why Secretary Rubio Should Provide Grant Waivers for Urgent Human Rights Work on Iran

Even a short aid freeze can do great damage to programs that are vital to pressuring the Islamic Republic, keeping Washington abreast of developments inside Iran, and ensuring the safety of those fighting for freedom on the ground.

Feb 19, 2025

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Holly Dagres

A Syrian woman holds a portrait of her missing son during a protest against the Assad regime in 2012 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Models for Transitional Justice in Syria

Post-regime experiences in Iraq, Tunisia, and Libya can help officials avoid the same mistakes in Syria, from over-empowering unaccountable armed groups to delaying judicial reform and economic improvements.

Feb 18, 2025

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Mieczyslaw Boduszynski
Sabina Henneberg

Video

Articles & Testimony

The Syria Breakdown, Episode Five: After Assad, Navigating Syria Policy

Watch congressional testimony by two Institute scholars focusing on U.S. policy options in the face of Syria's evolving reality.

Feb 13, 2025

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Michael Singh
Dana Stroul

◆ The Syria Breakdown

A general view of Lebanon's Government Palace in Beirut, taken in 2023 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Lebanon’s New Government May Walk a Thin Line Between Promises and Compromises

The new cabinet appointments appeared to sideline Hezbollah’s camp, but the group retained control over the crucial Finance Ministry and may find other ways of interfering with security decisions, the reconstruction process, and the next elections.

Feb 12, 2025

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

The Status of Syria’s Transition After Two Months

While the new government’s relative stability is a success, more details are needed on developing and implementing a national dialogue, a new constitution, and inclusivity measures.

Feb 12, 2025

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Aaron Y. Zelin

German and French foreign ministers meet with Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The Paris Conference on Syria: Coordination and a Roadmap Are Needed

To set up a future where U.S. forces and constant U.S. attention are no longer needed in Syria, Washington must be involved now, and smart transatlantic engagement could facilitate this goal.

Feb 11, 2025

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Devorah Margolin
Souhire Medini

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Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

Fikra n. [Arabic] "Idea"

The Washington Institute's Project Fikra is a multiyear program of research, publication, and network-building designed to generate policy ideas for promoting positive change and countering the spread of extremism in the Middle East.

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Ben Fishman is the Steven D. Levy Senior Fellow in the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute, where he focuses on North Africa.

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