Syria

The Carter Center has engaged with senior Syrian officials since the 1990s. After the outbreak of civil war in 2011, the Center began working with a cross-section of Syrians to explore political solutions to the conflict, build consensus around constitutional and governance reforms, and evaluate the impact of international sanctions.

With its long-term relationships with many stakeholders, the Center was uniquely capable of bringing factions together to develop realistic visions for a political resolution. Building upon our reputation in the country, we continue to monitor, document, and analyze levels of violence throughout the country.

Short-term Goals

We are working to resolve long-standing conflicts, protect civilians from harm, and build toward a lasting peace.

Impact

Helped reframe the political discussion of sanctions, acknowledging incremental change by the Syrian government toward the goal of full-scale, inclusive recovery
Collected extensive and up-to-date data on the conflict that allowed stakeholders, including the international community, to have well-informed dialogues and strengthened relationships

Carter Center Calls for Robust Global Support Following U.S. Sanctions Lifting on Syria

Statement
May. 16, 2025

After 14 Years of Conflict, Can Barriers to Education in Syria Be Overcome?

Report
Apr. 24, 2025

Quarterly Review of Syrian Political and Military Dynamics, July-September 2023

Report
Dec. 13, 2023

Active

Conflict Resolution

How It Started

The 1978 Camp David Accords – which brought peace between Egypt and Israel – were a major achievement of the Carter administration, and after leaving the White House, President Carter continued to care deeply about Middle East peace. The Carter Center has worked in Syria for years and has developed a reputation as a trusted, objective broker.

Our Work and Methods

Shortly after the Syrian uprising in March 2011, the Center launched two initiatives focused on conflict analysis and dialogue among Syrians. These two complementary initiatives grew and evolved in response to shifting conflict dynamics.

In 2012, we began mapping and analyzing the Syrian conflict, using technology and social media to provide the international community with up-to-date and detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses.
In April 2013, we established the Syria Transition Options Initiative to generate ideas for a political and legal framework for future governance.
In 2016, we expanded our activities to address decentralization and local governance, as well as housing, land, and property rights.
In 2019, we embarked on a search for a new framework for conflict resolution in Syria, using sanctions as a potentially transformational — rather than purely punitive — tool and creating space for inclusive reconstruction, economic recovery, and the return of refugees.

Impacts

We helped change the policy conversation around Syria so that policymakers better understood the harm and limitations that sanctions and isolation were exacting.
We curated the richest data on the conflict and published more than 150 reports. Also, the mapping project helped humanitarian demining institutions address the perils of unexploded ordnance.

Learn more about the Center’s Syria Mapping Project