Countries are forcibly sending Syrians back home, though their country remains highly insecure.
The Triggers of Return Project run by the Carnegie Middle East Center in 2016-2018 aims to improve understanding of the predicament of Syrian refugees, and to uncover the political, social, economic, and other conditions that would trigger their voluntary return to their homeland. Its strategic goal is to inform policymakers of the linkages between triggers for return and a potential political settlement to end the Syrian conflict.
This project was made possible with the generous support of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKFCO) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Countries are forcibly sending Syrians back home, though their country remains highly insecure.
The conflict in Syria has created the largest refugee crisis since World War II. Whether refugees return to Syria depends on a number of conditions—such as governance and personal safety as well as political transition.
As the living conditions for Syrian refugees worsen and the risks of going home mount, the notion of a voluntary return is rapidly losing meaning.
In an interview, Kheder Khaddour discusses his recent paper on how the situation in eastern Syria will impact refugees.
The Islamic State’s defeat in Syria will not automatically bring displaced people home. A broader political settlement that reflects regional and national realities will be required.
Maha Yahya discusses the complexities and calculations in a Syrian refugee return
Efforts to circumvent Geneva and Astana undermine a durable solution in Syria and work against the welfare of refugees.
Lebanon’s economy has paid a significant price for the ongoing war in Syria.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon are increasingly being manipulated to satisfy geopolitical agendas.
The Zaatari Camp is taking on characteristics of permanence, raising doubts about a refugee return.