The United States and Syria: Policy Options

This event was broadcast on C-SPAN.

With U.S. policy in Iraq now under review, not to mention the worsening crises in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, a growing debate has emerged about relations between Washington and another Middle East hot spot—Syria. Should the United States continue to rely on a policy of isolation, or is the time ripe for cautious engagement? With bilateral relations now at their lowest point in a generation, is renewed cooperation even possible? Can Syria be convinced to play a more positive role in Iraq, to end its intimidation and interference in Lebanese politics, and to move from rejectionism to peacemaking vis-à-vis Israel? What would the United States have to offer in return?

This event was broadcast on C-SPAN.

To explore these questions, USIP is convening a panel of leading specialists and former officials who have met with a wide range of Syrian figures and recently traveled to that country.

Speakers

• Scott Lasensky
  Senior Research Associate, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Robert Malley
  Director of the Middle East Program, International Crisis Group; Former Senior Director, National Security Council
• Robert Satloff
  Executive Director, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
• Mona Yacoubian
  Special Adviser to the Muslim World Initiative, U.S. Institute of Peace