Syria Opens Up New Possibilities for the Syrian-US Relationship Andrew Tabler Washington Institute Wednesday, July 22nd Westin Galleria Hotel 5060 West Alabama West Alabama Room, 3rd Floor Registration: 6:00 p.m. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Program: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Members: $40 Non-members: $50  Online registration for this program is closed. To RSVP, please contact the Council. Email: rsvp@wachouston.org Phone: (713) 522-7811

Read Andrew Tabler's Blog - The Eighth Gate The U.S.-Syrian relationship has been strained in recent years over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq and the struggle in Lebanon. The United States has not had an ambassador in Syria since 2005.  George Mitchell's June visit to Damascus may signal a change in US policy and an opening to better relations. While the risks of engagement with Syria are clear, there may be opportunities as well, and it is expected that President Obama will appoint a new ambassador soon. What is next for US-Syrian relations and what policy options will the next US ambassador bring? Andrew J. Tabler is a Soref fellow at the Washington Institute. He is the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Syria Today, Syria's first private-sector English-language magazine. During his years in Damascus, Tabler achieved unparalleled long-term access to Bashar al-Asad and leading members of the ruling party. Mr. Tabler served as a consultant on U.S.-Syria relations for the International Crisis Group (2008) and as a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs (2005-2007), writing on Syrian, Lebanese, and Middle Eastern affairs. He is a graduate of American University in Cairo.