Middle East Security

Will Syria Become A Guerrilla War?

As President Bashar al-Assad's army continues to bombard multiple areas at the same time, the growing armed opposition movement is becoming an increasingly important element in the Syrian crisis.

The Struggle for Syria in 2011

This paper provides context for understanding the cycles of violence in Syria.

High Stakes And Low Expectations At Arab League Summit In Baghdad

For Iraq, the summit is a showcase. After years as a battlefield for regional and international powers, Iraq is keen to demonstrate its domestic stability and its international presence.

Syria's Armed Opposition

This report provides detailed information on Syria’s armed opposition movement, highlighting where structure exists within the movement and where Syria’s rebels lack organization.

Error message

  • Strict warning: Only variables should be passed by reference in eval() (line 3 of /mnt/stor7-wc2-dfw1/519460/631922/www.understandingwar.org/web/content/modules/php/php.module(74) : eval()'d code).
  • Notice: Undefined variable: count in include() (line 16 of /mnt/stor7-wc2-dfw1/519460/631922/www.understandingwar.org/web/content/sites/default/themes/isw/views-view-list--subsliders.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Undefined variable: count in include() (line 18 of /mnt/stor7-wc2-dfw1/519460/631922/www.understandingwar.org/web/content/sites/default/themes/isw/views-view-list--subsliders.tpl.php).

Media Contact

For media inquires please contact:

Tricia Miller202.293.5550 x210

Overview

The Institute for the Study of War launched its Middle East Security Project in November 2011. The project seeks: to study the national security challenges and opportunities emerging from the Persian Gulf and wider Arab World; to identify ways the United States and Gulf States can check Iran’s growing influence and contain the threat posed by its nuclear ambitions; to explain the shifting balance of power within the Middle East caused by recent upheaval, and assess the responses of the United States and Arab States to address these changes as they emerge.

Publications ISW in the News Media Maps Scholars

Publications

View all Publications

Featured Publications

Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 20

Iraq’s Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 20 April 27, 2012-May 4, 2012

Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 18

April 14, 2012-April 20, 2012. Iraqiyya, Kurds Consider Vote to Unseat Maliki, Barzani To Istanbul, Maliki To Tehran, Parliament Extends IHEC Mandate.

Latest Media

View All Media

Featured Media

Will Syria Become A Guerrilla War?

Analyzing Syria

Latest Photos

View all Photos

Middle East Security Maps

View All Maps

Map of Syria

Iranian Navy Joint Exercises

C-802 SACCADE MISSILE RANGE

ISW in the News

View all News

Tehran's New Plan to Dominate the Region-and Beyond

The goal by 2025, if all goes as the country has planned, is to have a navy that can deploy anywhere within a strategic triangle ...

Iran's Navy Threatens the Security of the Persian Gulf

While much of the world's attention focuses on Iran's nuclear program, Tehran has made considerable progress on another security front in recent years...