Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Over the past two years, the Syrian Civil War has claimed an estimated 60,000 lives as the regime of Bashar al-Assad battles opposition groups to retain its hold on power. The Syrian National Coalition, a coalition of opposition organizations, is now considered by the Obama administration and many in Europe and the Middle East as the “legitimate representative” of the Syrian people.

Over the past two years, the Syrian Civil War has claimed an estimated 60,000 lives as the regime of Bashar al-Assad battles opposition groups to retain its hold on power. The Syrian National Coalition, a coalition of opposition organizations, is now considered by the Obama administration and many in Europe and the Middle East as the “legitimate representative” of the Syrian people. But it is unclear when Assad will lose power or whether the Coalition can construct a stable modus vivendi among Syria’s various ethno—religious groups post-Assad, especially as jihadist groups, affiliated with al-Qaeda, have achieved increasing dominance on Syria’s battlefields.

FDD’s experts are in close contact with secular, liberal and other opposition Syrian communities to analyze the changing situation and operational environment, and to identify the optimum policy options.

FDD Event:

Assad’s Coming Downfall?

Watch

As part of its work, FDD supports ongoing communication between liberal members of the oppostion and policymakers through briefings, roundtable discussions and media outreach.

FDD Executive Director Mark Dubowitz, senior fellow Reuel Marc Gerecht, research fellow Tony Badran and president Clifford D. May  have written extensively on Syria in The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, and other publications. Senior fellow and leading Syrian democracy activist Ammar Abdulhamid also advises policymakers and serves as a critical link between Syrian dissidents across the world.