Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy

Advancing understanding in geostrategy, international security, and global politics

Dr. Jon B. Alterman currently holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. CSIS established the Brzezinski Chair in July 2003 to advance understanding in the fields of geostrategy, international security, and global politics. Reflecting Zbigniew Brzezinski's personal achievements during a long career that has included public service, teaching, and writing, the chair is awarded to a leading scholar-practitioner in global affairs and international strategy.

Much of Alterman’s scholarship has been grounded in his experience studying the Middle East, yet in recent years he has done an increasing amount of work linking his Middle East expertise to global issues. His earlier work on China, the United States and the Middle East, for example, anticipated the growing Middle Eastern energy trade with Asia and the increasing importance of the region to Chinese economic, political, and military strategy.

The activities of the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy are made possible by generous support from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

Latest Work

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Free Evan, Prosecute the Hostage Takers

According to several experts, there’s an argument for the Justice Department to open an investigation to determine if those involved in the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich violated U.S. law against hostage taking.

Commentary by Joel Simon — October 17, 2023

See all work by the Brzezinski Chair
Photo: White House via CNP/Getty Images

Books and Reports

Dr. Alterman’s work tackles broader themes than just what goes on within the Middle East. Featured here are major, produced written products that look at big picture trends, touching on U.S. engagement with China and Europe, as well as Russia’s role as a spoiler.

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Commentary

Photo: Santi Visalli/Getty Images

Dr. Alterman often writes short, op-ed style pieces on geostrategic issues involving the United States, the Middle East, and often other great powers in the region. To receive these each month, please subscribe to the Middle East Notes and Comment newsletter.

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All Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy Content

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Free Evan, Prosecute the Hostage Takers

According to several experts, there’s an argument for the Justice Department to open an investigation to determine if those involved in the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich violated U.S. law against hostage taking.

Commentary by Joel Simon — October 17, 2023

Why the Gaza Hostage Crisis Is Different

Hamas has kidnapped an estimated 150 people, starting a hostage crisis that has gripped the world. Although Hamas has long used hostage taking to coerce massive concessions, certain aspects of the crisis suggest that it might not be about prisoner swaps at all.

Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — October 17, 2023

Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy, Explained

The Biden administration finalized a deal to recover five U.S. citizens the U.S. government deemed wrongfully detained in Iran. This deal is the latest example of hostage diplomacy: when countries use their criminal justice systems to hold foreigners hostage.

Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — September 22, 2023

Just Call Them Hostages

The U.S. government should start calling a spade a spade. When foreign nations illegally detain Americans simply to gain leverage over the United States, the government should call them what they are: “state hostages.”

Commentary by Daniel Sharp and Jason Rezaian — July 20, 2023

The Truth of the Matter

Confused Rules-Based Order

CSIS’s Jon Alterman joins the podcast for a discussion of the global rules-based order post Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Jon B. Alterman — May 16, 2022

CSIS the truth of the matter
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Six

Jon explores how people and governments in the Middle East see the United States, and what they want from U.S. policy in the region.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 12, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: Translating the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Six

Jon explores how people and governments in the Middle East see the United States, and what they want from U.S. policy in the region.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 12, 2022

CSIS Babel
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Five

Jon explores U.S. soft power in the Middle East and what makes American culture, ideals, and institutions so attractive.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 5, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East