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The Syria Crisis: A Washington Institute Guide
As members of Congress consider President Obama’s request to undertake military action against the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, The Washington Institute presents the following guide to help Americans better understand the crisis in Syria. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in2011, our experts have conducted extensive research
Sep 10, 2013
Brief Analysis
Syrian Measures to Mitigate the Effects of a U.S. Strike
Given the nature of the regime's passive defensive capabilities, a powerful U.S. operation of at least several rounds may be necessary.
Sep 9, 2013
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  • Jeffrey White
Brief Analysis
Significant Regime Defection in Syria
Members of the Syrian opposition are correct in describing Alawite army general Ali Habib Mahmoud's "defection" to Turkey over the past few days as a "blow to the morale" of the Assad regime. He is the most prominent military official to leave Syria since the July 2012 departure of Brig
Sep 5, 2013
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  • Andrew J. Tabler
In-Depth Reports
Syria's Military Opposition:
How Effective, United, or Extremist?
Many options for direct military action in Syria have been on the table, ranging from token strikes with small numbers of weapons to much broader operations such as attacks on leadership targets or the imposition of no-fly and no-drive zones. In addition, the United States could respond indirectly by providing
Sep 5, 2013
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  • Jeffrey White
  • Andrew J. Tabler
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Brief Analysis
Inside the Complex World of U.S. Military Assistance to Egypt
Under current conditions, suspending military assistance to Cairo would be counterproductive for U.S. interests and contractors alike.
Sep 4, 2013
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  • David Schenker
Brief Analysis
Linking Targets to Political Objectives in Syria
If the United States strikes, it needs to choose targets and weapon systems based on a strategic plan that is well explained to the world.
Aug 30, 2013
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  • Chandler Atwood
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
Striking Syria: Lessons from the Israeli Experience
Israel's lessons from numerous strikes in Syria show that Assad can be deterred, particularly if he loses significant assets in a strike marked by clear, realistic objectives, careful planning, and credible deterrent messages after the fact.
Aug 30, 2013
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  • Michael Herzog
Video
Brief Analysis
Beyond the Redline: U.S. Opportunities with Syria's Armed Opposition
Experts discuss the nature and capabilities of Syria's various rebel groups and assess U.S. options for shifting the strategic landscape beyond punitive strikes.
Aug 30, 2013
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  • Andrew J. Tabler
  • Jeffrey White
  • Michael Eisenstadt
Brief Analysis
Sending the Right Message in Syria: Lessons from Past Airstrikes
Sending clear signals using punitive airstrikes is difficult but not impossible, and learning lessons from past operations can help maximize the chances of success if Washington decides to strike Syria.
Aug 27, 2013
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
Bombing Syria: What's the Goal?
As Washington considers military action in Syria, the temptation will be to pursue a limited punitive response to regime chemical-weapons use, rather than a campaign to achieve the administration's stated goal of Bashar al-Assad's removal. Giving in to that temptation would be a mistake.
Aug 26, 2013
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  • Robert Satloff
Brief Analysis
Taking Punitive Military Action Against the Syrian Regime
If Washington and its allies decide to strike the Syrian regime in response to last week's chemical attack, they should strike hard, with the aim of achieving significant political and military effects.
Aug 26, 2013
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  • Jeffrey White
Brief Analysis
Large-Scale Chemical Weapons Use Against Syrian Civilians: Military Implications
If it becomes reasonably clear that the Assad regime was responsible for today's apparent chemical strikes, nothing less than direct military action will alter its calculus or prevent further massacres.
Aug 21, 2013
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  • Jeffrey White
Articles & Testimony
The Day After Assad Wins: The Hard Truths About Post-War Syria
If the regime wins, as seems increasingly likely, post-war Syria will be a more brutal and anarchic place than ever before.
Aug 21, 2013
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  • Andrew J. Tabler
Brief Analysis
Rebuilding U.S. Influence in Iraq One Meeting at a Time
The Strategic Framework Agreement offers an unspectacular but important roadmap for the recapitalization of U.S. influence in Iraq, particularly in terms of security, energy, and capacity-building commitments.
Aug 14, 2013
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  • Michael Knights
  • Ahmed Al Brich
Articles & Testimony
How the Israeli Drone Strike in the Sinai Might Backfire
If Israel continues to act as Cairo's proxy terrorist hunter, it could erode the Egyptian military's reputation, undermine General Sisi's popularity, and attract even more militants looking to wage jihad from the Sinai.
Aug 13, 2013
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  • David Schenker
Brief Analysis
The Saudi Angle on the Obama-Putin Rift
If Riyadh concludes a major arms deal with Moscow in return for reduced Russian backing of the Assad regime, it will come at the expense of U.S. influence in the Middle East and possibly across the world.
Aug 8, 2013
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  • Simon Henderson
Brief Analysis
Al-Qaeda's Resiliency in Yemen
Although counterterrorism operations are essential to defeating al-Qaeda, they must be complemented by a low-cost, low-visibility campaign to help the Yemeni government extend its reach in the provinces.
Aug 7, 2013
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  • Daniel Green
Brief Analysis
Rebuilding Iraq's Counterterrorism Capabilities
Although Washington can help boost the capabilities of Iraq's counterterrorism forces, Baghdad cannot kill its way out of the current security crisis, so sectarian reconciliation remains a priority.
Jul 31, 2013
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
Is Syria Finished?
If Washington doesn't help contain Syria's civil war, the whole region could plunge into chaos.
Jul 15, 2013
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  • Dennis Ross
Articles & Testimony
What Have U.S. Troops Been Doing in Jordan?
If Washington wants to shore up King Abdullah and secure Jordan, it should do everything possible to hasten the departure of Syria's Assad regime.
Jul 12, 2013
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  • David Schenker

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Supported by the

Military and Security Studies Program

The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program has established itself as an unrivaled source of reliable, incisive, and forward-looking analysis concerning several of the most critical national-security challenges facing the United States today: The U.S. military role in the Middle East, Iran's nuclear program and its proxy armies, the ongoing conflict is in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, the regional proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass destruction, the security dimensions of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and many other security issues on the frontline of the U.S. policymaking agenda.

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Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Senior Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.
Michael Knights
Michael Knights
Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.
Grant Rumley
Grant Rumley
Grant Rumley is the Meisel-Goldberger Senior Fellow and Director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Elizabeth Dent - source: The Washington Institute
Elizabeth Dent
Elizabeth Dent is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where she focuses on U.S. foreign and defense policy toward the Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria.
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