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
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
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — October 17, 2023

Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy, Explained
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — September 22, 2023

Just Call Them Hostages
Commentary by Daniel Sharp and Jason Rezaian — July 20, 2023

Confused Rules-Based Order
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Jon B. Alterman — May 16, 2022

Books and Reports
Visit PageAll Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy Content
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Who Wins When U.S.-Iran Tensions Rise? China.
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — May 20, 2019
Punishing Iran Is Not a Strategy
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 21, 2019
Eritrea: The Independence Struggle and the Struggles of Independence
Report — January 24, 2019
Timor-Leste: A Nation of Resistance
Report — January 24, 2019
Kosovo: An Unlikely Success Still in the Making
Report — January 24, 2019
South Sudan: The Painful Rise and Rapid Descent of the World’s Newest Nation
Report by Richard Downie — January 24, 2019
The Importance of Being Balanced: Lessons from Negotiated Settlements to Self-determination Movements in Bosnia, Macedonia, and Kosovo
Report — January 24, 2019
Self-Determination and the Struggle for Success: Generalizing the Findings
Report by Will Todman — January 24, 2019
Self-Determination and U.S. Choices
Report by Will Todman — January 24, 2019
In Search of an Iran Strategy
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 24, 2018