Consolidating and Losing Gains in Syria

March 2018

Past Event

Consolidating and Losing Gains in Syria

Past Event

Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters

March 13, 2018

SDF and YPG flags seen in al-Raqqa after its takeover by the SDF, October 20, 2017 (VOA Kurdish)

March 2018

Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Read Transcript

Speakers:

Jennifer Cafarella

Senior Intelligence Planner, Institute for the Study of War

Bassam Barabandi

Former Syrian Diplomat

As Turkey targets Kurdish fighters with ties to the U.S.-led coalition combatting the Islamic State, tensions between Turkey and the U.S. have the potential to squander many of the gains that have been made against ISIS. Simultaneously, Iran and Russia are gaining leverage by solidifying their hold on key areas in the region. The U.S. is now forced to weigh its conflicting alliances in Eastern Syria, and develop a coherent policy towards its allies.

On Tuesday, March 13th, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion assessing U.S. policy options for the conflict and the region. The panel will consist of American Foreign Policy Council Senior Vice President Ilan Berman; Institute for the Study of War Senior Intelligence Planner Jennifer Cafarella; former Syrian diplomat Bassam Barabandi; and Hudson Adjunct Fellow Michael Pregent.

To view the map used in today's panel, click here.

January 2026

In-Person Event | Washington Convention Center

Apex Defense Conference 2026

Featured Speakers:

Bryan Clark

Nadia Schadlow

Timothy A. Walton

January 2026

In-Person Event | Washington Convention Center

Apex Defense Conference 2026

Apex Defense, in collaboration with Hudson Institute, will host a dynamic defense technology event that unites warfighters, acquisition professionals, startups, small and medium businesses, investors and industry leaders to tackle operational challenges from the seabed to space.

Featured Speakers:

Bryan Clark

Nadia Schadlow

Timothy A. Walton

Learn More

January 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Pax Silica: Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg on the AI Race and Economic Security

Featured Speakers:

Jacob Helberg

Joel Scanlon

January 2026

In-Person Event | Invite Only

Pax Silica: Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg on the AI Race and Economic Security

Please join Under Secretary Helberg and Hudson Executive Vice President Joel Scanlon for a discussion on the Pax Silicia initiative, America’s strategy to win the global AI race, and the new geopolitical imperatives of economic security and technology.

Featured Speakers:

Jacob Helberg

Joel Scanlon

Learn More

January 2026

Past Event

After Maduro: What’s Next in Venezuela

Featured Speakers:

Ryan Berg, PhD

Brian Naranjo

John Polga-Hecimovich, PhD

Moderator:

Daniel Batlle

January 2026

Past Event

After Maduro: What’s Next in Venezuela

Hudson will host an event to consider how Washington can best use its leverage with the regime to advance key objectives of reducing the flow of drugs from Venezuela and the roll back Russian and Chinese influence.

Featured Speakers:

Ryan Berg, PhD

Brian Naranjo

John Polga-Hecimovich, PhD

Moderator:

Daniel Batlle

Learn More

January 2026

Past Event

Why Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Matter for America

Featured Speakers:

Bay Fang

Lisa Curtis

Alexis Mrachek

Hyun-Seung Lee

Viktoryia Andrukovich

Moderator:

Olivia Enos

January 2026

Past Event

Why Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Matter for America

At Hudson, policymakers, experts, and stakeholders will gather for a conversation on next steps the US government should take to provide a future for RFA and RFE/RL and ensure comprehensive information access around the globe.