Syria Publications
Soviet Policy Toward Syria, 1976-1986: Factionalism and the Limits of Influence (1986)
May 01, 2013Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Kennan Institute Occasional Paper Series #212, 1986. PDF 44 pages. more
The Syrian Refugee Crisis is Pushing Lebanon to the Brink
Feb 22, 2013The Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon is threatening to become the real humanitarian crisis in the region. There are more Syrian refugees in Lebanon than in any other country in the region. Straddled by a weak economy, domestic political infighting, and internal divisions over the crisis in Syria, Lebanon is finding it hard to cope with the evolving problem inside its borders. In the absence of a quick and sustained international support, the refugee issue in Lebanon could become a full blown crisis with domestic and regional implications for Lebanon. more
The Demons Besieging Lebanon: Iran’s Tighter Grip
Nov 26, 2012Hezbollah’s main strength in Lebanon is not its weaponry. Its real backbone is its popular support, which guarantees Hezbollah’s control over state institutions. Iran may be prepared to lose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but it is certainly not ready to lose Lebanon. Now that Hezbollah’s popular support in Lebanon is waning, Iran will do whatever it takes to overcome the results of Lebanon's parliamentary elections in 2013. more
The Arab Awakening: Is Democracy a Mirage?
Aug 10, 2012On June 20, 2012, the Wilson Center’s Middle East Program hosted a meeting on “The Arab Awakening: Is Democracy a Mirage?” This publication brings together the talks presented at the meeting. more
Syrian Refugees: Lessons from Other Conflicts and Possible Policies
Jun 29, 2012Former Wilson Center fellow Rochelle Davis writes on the ongoing crisis in Syria involving refugees and the internally displaced. She makes a number of policy recommendations based upon the recent experiences of Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. more
The Islamists Are Coming: Who They Really Are
Apr 26, 2012The Islamists Are Coming is the first book to survey the rise of Islamist groups in the wake of the Arab Spring. Often lumped together, the more than 50 Islamist parties with millions of followers now constitute a whole new spectrum—separate from either militants or secular parties. They will shape the new order in the world’s most volatile region more than any other political bloc. Yet they have diverse goals and different constituencies. Sometimes they are even rivals. more
