Syria

Policy Analysis on Syria

While Still Risky, Military Intervention Against ISIS May Be the Only Good Option

In addition to hitting ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the United States should target the Assad regime's military infrastructure to ensure that Damascus cannot take advantage of the situation.

Sep 4, 2014

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

A Strategy for Beating the Islamic State

Since containment is no longer a viable option, Washington must build a regional coalition of the willing to roll back the terrorist group.

Sep 2, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Military Implications of the Syrian Regime's Defeat in Raqqa

The latest ISIS victories in northern Syria raise questions about who can prevent further advances, pointing to the potential need for foreign air intervention.

Aug 27, 2014

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Jeffrey White

In-Depth Reports

Minding the Home Front:

Hezbollah in Lebanon

When Hezbollah declared its support for the Assad regime against the Syrian rebels, the group damaged its credibility as a voice against oppression. Yet Hezbollah’s recent successes in Syria have allowed it to strengthen its domestic political position. By strategically partnering with the Shiite Amal Party and the Christian Free

Aug 11, 2014

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Mona Alami

Articles & Testimony

ISIL Could Become the Voice of Sunnis If We Don't Find a Way to Stop It Soon

Given the consolidation of jihadist gains and the lack of interest and capacity among neighboring states to uproot ISIL in Iraq and Syria, the group is likely to endure absent a more assertive U.S. policy involving military and political operations.

Aug 11, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Video

Brief Analysis

Red Lines: Inside the Battle for Freedom in Syria

Syrian activist Mouaz Mustafa, Andrea Kalin, producer of the new documentary "Red Lines," and Institute Syria expert Andrew Tabler discuss the battle for freedom in Syria.

Jul 22, 2014

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Mouaz Moustafa
Andrea Kalin
Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Keeping Israel's Northern Front Under Control

Although rocket fire from Lebanon and Syria remains sporadic for now, Israel and other parties need to be aware of the potential for serious miscalculation and escalation.

Jul 21, 2014

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Nadav Pollak

Articles & Testimony

The Rise of ISIL: Iraq and Beyond (Part II)

Despite its past experience in Iraq, the United States has clear and compelling reasons to actively address the current crisis there, and several options for doing so.

Jul 15, 2014

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

The Rise of ISIL: Iraq and Beyond (Part I)

A former ambassador to Iraq discusses the ideal plan for U.S. action on the Iraq crisis -- and how to proceed if that plan proves unachievable due to rapidly deteriorating conditions on the ground.

Jul 15, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Registered Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Jul 14, 2014

Articles & Testimony

Colonial Caliphate: The Ambitions of the 'Islamic State'

ISIS poses an existentially different threat than previous Sunni jihadist groups, with a focus on territorial possession and expansion.

Jul 8, 2014

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

An Enhanced Train-and-Equip Program for the Moderate Syrian Opposition:

A Key Element of U.S. Policy for Syria and Iraq

Such a program should strengthen the moderate opposition militarily and enhance its political and informational capabilities, while disrupting Salafi-jihadist recruitment.

Jul 8, 2014

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Michael Eisenstadt
Jeffrey White

Articles & Testimony

Declaring an Islamic State, Running a Criminal Enterprise

The United States and its allies beat al-Qaeda on the battlefield several years ago, but ISIS has financed a resurgence in Syria and Iraq that poses no less a threat to regional stability.

Jul 7, 2014

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

ISIS Poses Threat Beyond Iraq

In addition to addressing the Iraq crisis directly, Washington should take a more robust, strategic approach to Syria while preempting possible threats to Jordan and other states.

Jul 2, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Turkey's Kurdish Buffer

By maintaining close ties with Iraqi Kurds, continuing the peace talks with Turkish Kurds, and developing security relations with Syrian Kurds, Ankara can help stave off the threats now looming on its southern borders.

Jul 1, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

ISIS Is Dead, Long Live the Islamic State

Will the declaration of a new caliphate unite the world’s jihadists or tear them apart?

Jun 30, 2014

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Syria: The Epicenter of Future Jihad

If history is any guide, the networks of fighters forged by the Syrian war will not remain silent in the coming years.

Jun 30, 2014

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Aaron Y. Zelin

In-Depth Reports

The War Between ISIS and al-Qaeda for Supremacy of the Global Jihadist Movement

Aaron Y. Zelin examines the history and evolution of relations between ISIS and al-Qaeda, detailing factors that could help determine their respective agendas in the global Jihadi arena.

Jun 26, 2014

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Securing al Sham

Sealing borders and arming tribes and the moderate opposition are keys to uprooting jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

Jun 26, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Securing al-Sham: Syria and the Violence in Iraq

For the second time in less than a year, U.S. President Barack Obama is considering military strikes in the Middle East. But they will not fix the region's problems -- especially the ongoing war between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Jun 25, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

Andrew J. Tabler

Andrew J. Tabler is the Martin J. Gross Senior Fellow in the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute, where he focuses on Syria and U.S. policy in the Levant.

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.

David Schenker

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

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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Syria

Policy Analysis on Syria

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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Policy Analysis on Syria

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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