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

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

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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 content by Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy

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Syria, Turkey, and the Eastern Mediterranean

The United States needs to take a new strategic approach to the Eastern Mediterranean, outlined in a CSIS report forthcoming in May 2018. An urgent part of that strategy, outlined here, is recalibrating U.S. policy toward Syria and Turkey.

Brief by Jon B. Alterman and Heather A. Conley — April 19, 2018

The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

Labeled the worst humanitarian crisis in today’s world, the conflict in Yemen is entering its fourth year. This event will discuss the impact the war is having on the Yemeni people, and the challenges it poses policymakers.

Event by Jon B. Alterman , Kimberly Flowers , David Miliband , Barbara Bodine , Peter Salisbury , and Abdulrahman Al-Eryani — April 5, 2018

The Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

Labeled the worst humanitarian crisis in today’s world, the conflict in Yemen is entering its fourth year. This event discussed the impact the war is having on the Yemeni people, and the challenges it poses policymakers.

Transcript — April 5, 2018

Geostrategic Flashpoint: The Eastern Mediterranean

Today, the United States and its allies are struggling to adapt a coherent Eastern Mediterranean regional policy that acknowledges dramatically new economic, political, and security realities while ensuring that the region remains transatlantically anchored.

Event by Jon B. Alterman , Heather A. Conley , and Admiral James G. Foggo, III — February 12, 2018

Experts React: State of the Union 2018

An all-star panel are in place to discuss everything from North Korea to the opioid crisis. Featuring CSIS Senior Vice Presidents Jon Alterman, Heather Conley, Kathleen Hicks, Michael Green, James Lewis, Steve Morrison, and Frank Verrastro.

Commentary — January 31, 2018

Arrests in Saudi Arabia: Causes and Implications

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the world’s most prominent Saudi investor, has gotten a great deal of attention, but the sweep included other billionaires, senior royals from other branches of the family, and technocrats who began guiding Saudi Arabia’s economic reform program under King Abdullah.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — November 6, 2017