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Syria

Policy Analysis on Syria

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Video
Brief Analysis
Can the UN Still Save Syria? Views from a Former Special Envoy
Is it too late for the UN to counter the Assad regime and its allies on their abuses or to salvage cross-border mechanisms for humanitarian aid? Former UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura joined a virtual Policy Forum to probe the prospects.
May 25, 2020
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  • Staffan de Mistura
Brief Analysis
Don’t Overthink the Assad-Makhlouf Feud
The Syrian leader’s dramatic war of words with his massively wealthy cousin may seem like a major fracture inside the regime, but the dynamics of past and present family disputes paint a different picture.
May 22, 2020
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  • Oula A. Alrifai
Brief Analysis
Growing Tensions in South Syria Signal More Regime Attacks
Given the Syrian army’s recent deployments in Deraa and Russia’s half-hearted attempts to halt them, the situation may soon lead to renewed shelling of civilian areas and myriad complications for Israel and Jordan.
May 18, 2020
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  • Ehud Yaari
Articles & Testimony
The Jihadi-Backed Salvation Government and Covid-19 in Northwest Syria
Disease prevention efforts in Idlib illustrate the movement's political evolution and its differences from the Islamic State, but the pandemic may still hit the area hard given inconsistent implementation and years of regime destruction.
May 15, 2020
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Articles & Testimony
Covid-19 and Middle East Proxy Wars: The Storm Before the Calm?
Although the pandemic’s full regional consequences remain murky, some early trends are becoming clear, from caution among certain proxy patrons, to escalation among others, and a looming financial crunch for all.
Apr 29, 2020
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  • David Pollock
Brief Analysis
The Astana Process: A Flexible but Fragile Showcase for Russia
Although the process demonstrates the success of Moscow’s agile military and diplomatic strategy in Syria, it also highlights the Kremlin’s inability (or unwillingness) to resolve the interminable crisis.
Apr 28, 2020
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  • Charles Thépaut
Brief Analysis
Coronavirus Has Opposite Effects on Turkish Policy in Syria and Libya
Ceasefire agreements and contagion concerns will likely limit Turkish operations in Syria for the time being, but Ankara has no such constraints in its Libya proxy war.
Apr 17, 2020
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  • Soner Cagaptay
Brief Analysis
The Faint Red Line: How the West Should Respond to the Syria Chemical Weapons Report
Europe and the United States can no longer dismiss the strategic and tactical relevance of the regime’s CW attacks, which have continued throughout the conflict and demand further military, diplomatic, and judicial action.
Apr 13, 2020
◆
  • Tobias Schneider
  • Theresa Lutkefend
Brief Analysis
Syria’s Three Governments Confront the Coronavirus
The rebel administration in Idlib and the Kurdish-led government in the northeast have been more proactive and transparent than the Assad regime, but their populations still need urgent, direct international aid—without the UN’s imprimatur if necessary.
Apr 1, 2020
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Oula A. Alrifai
Articles & Testimony
U.S. Policy in the Middle East Amid Great Power Competition
Viewing regional issues through this broader strategic lens will require Washington to accept painful trade-offs and take a tougher stance with difficult allies.
Mar 30, 2020
◆
  • Michael Singh
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Idlib May Become the Next Gaza Strip
Given the military situation on the ground and the overriding interests of each party, the jihadist-run rebel pocket will likely be further reduced into a small, overpopulated border strip north of the M4 highway.
Mar 26, 2020
◆
  • Fabrice Balanche
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
A Year Since Baghuz, the Islamic State Is Neither Defeated nor Resurging (Yet)
Although attack statistics have declined, the continued lack of stable governance in Diyala and Deir al-Zour shows that Washington and its partners have not absorbed the lessons provided by previous insurgencies.
Mar 25, 2020
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Video
Brief Analysis
The U.S. Role in Idlib and Beyond: Perspectives from Syria
How can the United States mitigate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Idlib, and what do Syrian activists on the ground want from Washington?
Mar 20, 2020
◆
  • Raed al-Saleh
  • Omar Alshogre
  • Rajaa Altalli
  • Naomi Kikoler
Articles & Testimony
How the U.S. Can Help Ease Idlib’s Catastrophe
Washington needs to cooperate with Europe on forcing Damascus into serious political negotiations, help Turkey create a no-fly zone, and stop Russia and China from using their veto power at the UN.
Mar 14, 2020
◆
  • Oula A. Alrifai
Articles & Testimony
The Crisis in Idlib
Given the near-certainty that conflict will erupt again in northwest Syria, the United States should start planning for how it might leverage that next outbreak to push the parties toward a political process.
Mar 11, 2020
◆
  • Dana Stroul
Turkey’s Imperial Foreign Policy: Vision vs. Reality
A deep dive into the evolution of Erdogan’s regional approach and how it informs the current crises in Syria and other hotspots.
Mar 6, 2020
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  • Soner Cagaptay
Articles & Testimony
The Shia vs. the ‘Shia Crescent’
Whether by force or politics, Iran desperately needs to reconsolidate power among Shia constituencies throughout the region, but this challenge may prove insurmountable given current public sentiment in Iraq and Lebanon.
Mar 5, 2020
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Brief Analysis
A New Erdogan-Putin Deal in Idlib May Help—For Now
Turkey, Russia, and Washington have compelling reasons to welcome a new ceasefire agreement, however imperfect, but they still need to address the longer-term dangers posed by the Assad regime’s murderously maximalist strategy.
Mar 4, 2020
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  • Soner Cagaptay
Brief Analysis
Hezbollah Has a New Strategy to Survive Lebanon’s Financial Crisis
Unless Washington and its allies respond to the protestors’ legitimate demands for reform, the group will survive through measures such as expanding its smuggling activity, promoting its financial institutions, and selectively scapegoating corrupt politicians.
Mar 2, 2020
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Articles & Testimony
‘Fighters Without Borders’: Forecasting New Trends in Iran Threat Network Foreign Operations Tradecraft
To hide its fingerprints on future attacks against U.S. interests, the regime is focusing on its regional 'Shia Liberation Army' and potentially seeking to radicalize lone actors.
Feb 27, 2020
◆
  • Matthew Levitt

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