Jon B. Alterman

Jon B. Alterman is a senior vice president, holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and is director of the Middle East Program at 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 2009-2019 he served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. In addition to his policy work, he often teaches Middle Eastern studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and the George Washington University. 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 Ph.D. in history. Alterman has lectured in more than 35 countries on five continents on subjects related to the Middle East and U.S. policy toward the region. He is the author or coauthor of four books on the Middle East 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 A.B. from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs.
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In the News 8 of 1242 results
Trump has put America’s allies in an impossible position. That might be where he likes them
Jon B. Alterman in CNN — February 10, 2025
Trump’s proposal to displace Gazans may impede efforts with Saudi Arabia
Jon B. Alterman in The Washington Post — February 7, 2025
How realistic is Trump's 'Gaza takeover' plan?
Jon B. Alterman in Deutsche Welle — February 5, 2025
Global Reaction to Trump's Gaza Strip Takeover Proposal
Jon B. Alterman in Reuters — February 4, 2025
Trump review of foreign aid reopens debate: How reliable is the US?
Jon B. Alterman in The Christian Science Monitor — January 31, 2025
Hamas releases 8 hostages in chaotic hand-over with Israel
Jon B. Alterman in CBS — January 30, 2025
'She's good at formulating messages': What does Stefanik's time in Congress say about how she'll serve as U.N. ambassador?
Jon B. Alterman in Spectrum News NY1 — January 29, 2025
Playbook: The trade war that wasn’t
Jon B. Alterman in POLITICO — January 27, 2025
All Jon B. Alterman Content
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Analysis: Netanyahu Comes to Washington
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — February 4, 2025

Chaos, Power, and Diplomacy: What Kissinger and Trump Teach Us About World Order
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — January 28, 2025

Sinem Adar: Turkey's Syria Challenge
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Martin Pimentel, and Will Todman — January 28, 2025

Chaos, Power, and Diplomacy: What Kissinger and Trump Teach Us About World Order
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — January 27, 2025
Analysis: Gaza Peace?
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — January 21, 2025

Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 21, 2025
Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — January 21, 2025

eL Seed: Arabic Calligraffiti
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Martin Pimentel — January 14, 2025

Analysis: Syria’s Bid for Sanctions Relief
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — January 7, 2025

Special: Syria's Post-Assad Scramble
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Will Todman — December 17, 2024
