Syria | Council on Foreign Relations

What to Know About HTS, Hezbollah, and Iran

The ascendance of Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria should be viewed with great caution by Western powers, but the Assad regime’s collapse disables a critical node in Iran’s regional proxy network.

Expert Brief by Bruce Hoffman Dec 9, 2024

What Assad’s Fall Means for Russia in the Middle East

The flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exile in Russia poses a major strategic challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin’s influence in Syria and the region should not be downplayed yet.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham Dec 10, 2024

Will Iran Become More Dangerous After Assad’s Ouster in Syria?

The Bashar al-Assad regime’s rapid collapse deals a heavy blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance” and its ability to project power in the region, and it raises fears Iran will focus more on developing its nuclear program.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh Dec 8, 2024

Global Conflict Tracker: Syria

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Syria

Syria’s Civil War

Photo Essay by CFR.org Editors December 20, 2024
Syria

Syrians Plot Transition, Turmoil in Georgia and Romania, UK Joins Trans-Pacific Trade Deal, and More

Syrians begin the early stages of government formation as global and regional powers scramble to devise a strategy for Syria after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad; Georgians protest their government’s postponement of European Union (EU) membership talks as Romanians look for answers following the cancellation of their presidential election results; the United Kingdom (UK) accedes to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership; and China opens an anti-monopoly case against U.S. chipmaker Nvidia.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 12, 2024 The World Next Week
Syria

What Assad’s Fall Means for Russia in the Middle East

The flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exile in Russia poses a major strategic challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin’s influence in Syria and the region should not be downplayed yet.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham December 10, 2024 Europe Program

Syria

Syria After Assad: What to Know About HTS, Hezbollah, and Iran

The ascendance of Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria should be viewed with great caution by Western powers, but the Assad regime’s collapse disables a critical node in Iran’s regional proxy network.

Expert Brief by Bruce Hoffman December 9, 2024 National Security and Defense Program
Syria

Weighing Syria’s Future

In this video interview, CFR’s Steven A. Cook sits down with CNN’s Primetime Weekend Newsroom anchor Jessica Dean and CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling to discuss a post-Assad Syria.

Article by Steven A. Cook December 9, 2024
Syria

Media Briefing: What's Next for Syria After Assad

CFR experts discuss the latest news out of Syria, including what the fall of Bashar al-Assad means for the future of the country and the wider region.

Virtual Event by Elliott Abrams , Steven A. Cook , Ray Takeyh and Elise Labott December 9, 2024 Middle East Program

Syria

Will Iran Become More Dangerous After Assad’s Ouster in Syria?

The Bashar al-Assad regime’s rapid collapse deals a heavy blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance” and its ability to project power in the region, and it raises fears Iran will focus more on developing its nuclear program.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh December 8, 2024 Middle East Program
Syria

After Fall of Assad Dynasty, Syria’s Risky New Moment

The swift collapse of Syria’s regime brings a humiliating end to Russia’s and Iran’s sway and opens the door for greater Turkish influence. But the Islamist movement that seized power has yet to show its full intentions.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook December 8, 2024 Middle East Program
Syria

What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?

Turkey opposes the Assad regime, but the fall of the government could disrupt Ankara’s aims to reverse refugee flows and defeat Kurdish forces in Syria’s north.

Expert Brief by Henri J. Barkey December 6, 2024
Syria

What Syria’s Revived Civil War Means for the Region

The surprise rebel offensive that has seized Aleppo and threatens other regime-held territories could mark a further weakening of Iran's regional sway but also spur a new cycle of violence and instability.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook December 5, 2024
South Korea

Turmoil in South Korea, French Government Collapses, Syrian Rebels Reignite Conflict, and More

Impeachment looms for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law spurred mass protests; French lawmakers passed the first no-confidence vote in more than sixty years, as the country is set to mark the the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral; Syrian rebels continue a surprise offensive against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after seizing the cities of Aleppo and Hama; and U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump threatens 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins December 5, 2024 The World Next Week
Lebanon

What’s Happening in Lebanon? A Guide to the War-Torn Democracy

An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters December 3, 2024
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel-Hamas War: Regional Escalation and U.S. Strategy

Panelists discuss the regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, developments in flashpoints including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, attacks on U.S. forces and the consequences for U.S. strategy in the Middle East.

Virtual Event by Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Jon B. Alterman, Gregory D. Johnsen and Kimberly Dozier February 12, 2024 Middle East Program
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Indigenous Women Seek Damages for Involuntary Birth Control

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 30 to October 6.

Post by Noël James October 6, 2023 Women Around the World
Russia

Russia Tests New Missile and Seeks to Rejoin UN Human Rights Council, ICJ Takes On Syria, and More

Recent satellite imagery indicates that Russia is preparing to test a new nuclear-powered missile; the UN Human Rights Council votes on new members, with Russia vying to rejoin after its April 2022 suspension; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) begins hearings on torture in Syria; and one hundred thousand ethnic Armenians flee as Azerbaijan asserts control over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 5, 2023 The World Next Week