PHILADELPHIA – May 5, 2025 – The Middle East Forum (MEF) has released “Syria’s Clandestine Chemical Arsenal: The Complete Dossier,” (link) a report exposing the inner workings of Syria’s chemical weapons program based on six years of intelligence gathering by MEF’s network of sources within the Syrian regime.
The report reveals an intricate system designed to develop, produce, and deploy chemical and biological weapons while evading international scrutiny, even as Syria claimed to have dismantled its program under international supervision.
“Our investigation uncovered a program far more sophisticated, resilient, and extensive than previously understood,” said Gregg Roman, MEF’s executive director and the report’s author. “The complete picture that emerges is one of systematic deception orchestrated at the highest levels of the Syrian government, with direct oversight from the Presidential Palace.”
The report provides unprecedented detail on:
- The three-generational structure of scientific personnel who maintained continuity and expertise within the program
- Key security officers who managed the covert movement and deployment of chemical weapons
- Direct control mechanisms from the Presidential Palace that maintained oversight of the entire enterprise
- Geographic coordinates of facilities, including research centers, manufacturing sites, and storage depots
- Sophisticated front companies and procurement strategies that circumvented international sanctions
- Deliberate deception tactics used to mislead international inspectors while preserving prohibited capabilities
“This investigation was made possible by courageous individuals who risked everything to document a program designed to remain hidden,” added Roman. “As Syria undergoes political transition, this information provides an essential roadmap for addressing the legacy of its chemical weapons program.”
The intelligence contained in the report is based on firsthand accounts from regime insiders, intercepted communications, and documentary evidence collected by MEF’s sources between 2018 and 2024. The Assad regime’s collapse finally allowed sources to speak openly and confirm details previously difficult to verify.
The Middle East Forum, a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by Daniel Pipes, promotes American interests and Western values in the Middle East. MEF accomplishes its mission through intellectual and activist efforts.
For more information, visit www.meforum.org.
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Gregg Roman
roman@meforum.org
+1 (215) 546 5406
