Jon B. Alterman

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
Jon Alterman

Jon B. Alterman holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS in 2002, he served as a member of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State and as a special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and from 2009 to 2019, he served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. In addition to his policy work, he has been a frequent instructor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the George Washington University, and other local universities. Earlier in his career, Alterman was a scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace and at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a legislative aide to Senator Daniel P. Moynihan (D-NY), responsible for foreign policy and defense. From 1993 to 1997, Alterman was an award-winning teacher at Harvard University, where he received his PhD in history. Alterman has lectured in more than 35 countries on 5 continents on subjects related to the Middle East and global strategy, and he led the CSIS Middle East program for more than 20 years. He is the author or coauthor of four books and the editor of five more. In addition to his academic work, he is sought out as a consultant to business and government and is a frequent commentator in print, on radio, and on television. His opinion pieces have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and other major publications. He is a former international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he is now a life member. He received his AB from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs.

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After Assad: The Future of Syria

Syria is at a critical crossroads, with its future still uncertain. A strategy focused on coordination with allies in the region, cautious engagement, and internal policy alignment is key to advancing U.S. interests and engaging with the new Syrian government.

Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman — June 5, 2025

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Hostage Commission launches its findings on the rise of hostage-taking and wrongful detention. Join executive directors Jon Alterman and Jason Rezaian, along with key stakeholders, to discuss key recommendations and the path forward.

Event — June 4, 2025

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention examines U.S. efforts to counter the detention of Americans abroad and proposes new policy tools to strengthen deterrence, improve international coordination, and bring Americans home.

Report by Jon B. Alterman and Jason Rezaian — June 4, 2025

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Babel Special: Jon Alterman's Next Chapter

On this special edition of Babel, Will Todman speaks with Jon Alterman. They discuss Jon’s reflections on 22 years directing the CSIS Middle East Program and the lessons Jon will take to his new CSIS role as the Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Will Todman — May 22, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Mohanad Hage Ali: Hezbollah and the Captagon Trade

Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Together, they discuss Hezbollah’s involvement in these drug networks, as well as the opportunities to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and state institutions as a result of the group’s weakened standing.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Mona Yacoubian, and Asher Grant-Sasson — May 15, 2025

CSIS Babel

Scenarios That Could Define 2035

This scenario series from the CSIS Brzezinski Chair explores possible futures for 2035—not to predict outcomes, but to prepare for them. With expert comments, the scenarios examine key drivers, second-order effects, and warning signs to inform strategic foresight.

Digital Report by Jon B. Alterman — May 14, 2025

U.S. Global Leadership Falters

A new scenario by Jon B. Alterman, with comments from leading experts, explores what a U.S. retreat from global leadership could look like—examining the political, economic, and strategic fallout of a diminished role and how it might reshape global power dynamics.

Digital Report by Jon B. Alterman — May 14, 2025

Trust Fails

A new scenario by Jon B. Alterman, with comments from leading experts, explores how technology has both built and broken trust—examining how disinformation, cyber threats, and digital decay could fracture societies, disrupt trade, and weaken global cooperation.

Digital Report by Jon B. Alterman — May 14, 2025

China Stalls

A new scenario by Jon B. Alterman, with comments from leading experts, explores the challenges facing China’s economy and considers how a sustained slowdown could sap Beijing’s global influence and reshape the international order.

Digital Report by Jon B. Alterman — May 14, 2025