Chairman Poe on the hearing: “For nearly six years, the conflict in Syria has destroyed an ancient country and transformed its landscape to ashes and rubble. A staggering 11.5% of Syria’s population has been either killed or injured since the start of the violence and 11 million Syrians have been forced to leave home. The Assad regime aided by its backers in Moscow and Tehran have stopped at nothing to maintain the Assad family’s grip on power in Damascus. The resulting chaos has created the perfect conditions for exploitation by terrorist groups of all stripes, including ISIS and al-Qaeda.  This hearing will give Members the opportunity to learn more about recent developments in Syria and to hear about possible new policy recommendations from experts.”

Opening Statements

Witnesses

Mr. Hassan Hassan
Senior Fellow
The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

The Honorable Frederic C. Hof
Director
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Ms. Melissa Dalton
Senior Fellow
Center for Strategic and International Studies
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)