What Is The Legacy of the Syrian Civil War?

The Syrian civil war, which followed the Arab Spring, stands as one of the 21st century’s most brutal conflicts, with estimates of over half a million deaths, millions displaced to Turkey, Lebanon, Europe, and beyond, and widespread human rights violations, including torture and terrorism.

Throughout the war, numerous regional and international actors became involved. Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia provided military support to the Assad regime; Turkey backed militias and tolerated HTS’s presence in Idlib; and the SDF, supported by the United States, fought ISIS but also sought territorial control of northeastern Syria. The Obama administration avoided direct intervention, wary of repeating Iraq, though it briefly launched and shut down a program to train anti-Assad rebels. President Trump later expressed interest in withdrawing the roughly 900 U.S. troops in Syria, but was dissuaded by his advisers. Throughout the conflict, the U.S. imposed a stringent sanctions regime on the Assad regime, isolating Syria economically.

The collapse of the Assad government this month shocked many and brought relief to millions of Syrians, though some remain apprehensive about how the new government will lead. What does the end of the Assad regime mean for Syrians, the region, and the United States? What lessons should Washington take from Syria’s civil war and U.S. Middle East policy?

To discuss the end of the Assad regime and the beginning of a new Syria, join a discussion between Omar Dahi, professor of economics at Hampshire College, and Steven Simon, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute. Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute, will moderate.

The conversation will take place on Thursday, December 19th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM Eastern Time.