Publications
Besieged and Hard-to-Reach Regions in Syria: February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016 - Chris KozakThe International Syria Support Group (ISSG) agreed to secure immediate humanitarian access to six besieged locations in Syria during their most recent meeting in Munich, Germany on February 11, 2016.
How Russia controls American policy
February 12, 2016 - Kimberly KaganWe’ve seen this movie—now playing in Syria-- before. The Russians have developed a way of getting the U.S. formally to permit offensive Russian military operations against American partners on the ground, all the while calling it a ceasefire.
Jabhat al Nusra and ISIS: Sources of Strength
February 10, 2016 - Harleen GambhirThis third report in the series "U.S. Grand Strategy: Destroying ISIS and al Qaeda" assesses the strengths and vulnerabilities of ISIS and al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusra to serve as the basis for developing a robust and comprehensive strategy to destroy them.
Russia Security Update: January 26-February 1, 2016
February 5, 2016 - Genevieve CasagrandeRussian warplanes concentrated their airstrikes in opposition-held territory in northwestern Aleppo Province in support of an ongoing regime offensive to sever the primary opposition ground line of communication (GLOC) from Aleppo City to the Syrian-Turkish border.
Assad Regime Gains in Aleppo Alter Balance of Power in Northern Syria
February 5, 2016 - Chris KozakBattlefield realities rather than great power politics will determine the ultimate terms of a settlement to end the Syrian Civil War. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies in Russia and Iran have internalized this basic principle even as Washington and other Western capitals pinned their hopes upon UN-sponsored Geneva Talks, which faltered only two days after they began.
The Pitfalls of Relying on Kurdish Forces to Counter ISIS
February 3, 2016 - Patrick MartinAmerican over-reliance on Kurdish forces as the primary ground partner in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threatens the long-term success of the anti-ISIS campaign. These pitfalls could promote future regional disorder and prevent the U.S. from successfully degrading and destroying ISIS.
The Pitfalls of Relying on Kurdish Forces to Counter ISIS
February 3, 2016 - Chris KozakAmerican over-reliance on Kurdish forces as the primary ground partner in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) threatens the long-term success of the anti-ISIS campaign. These pitfalls could promote future regional disorder and prevent the U.S. from successfully degrading and destroying ISIS.