Middle East Program

Providing fresh analysis of the drivers of change in the Middle East

The CSIS Middle East Program provides fresh analysis of the drivers of change in the Middle East to decision makers and thought leaders in the United States and abroad.

The Middle East Program is a source for new ideas that go beyond the conventional wisdom, disseminated through written scholarship, events, and commentary in leading news outlets.

Follow us on Twitter @CSISMidEast and like us on Facebook.

Dr. Alterman serves as the director of the Middle East Program, a position he has held since 2002. Under his leadership, the Middle East Program has launched a biweekly podcast and numerous miniseries, convened events with many of the top thinkers in the field, and conducted innovative research on the Middle East including work on the Chinese influence, sustainability, and cultural shifts in the region.

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Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

The Unique Promise of Environmental Cooperation in the Gulf

Environmental issues hold unique promise for fostering negotiation and cooperation in the Gulf. A new CSIS brief explores the potential of environmental diplomacy to bring broader geopolitical benefits.

Brief by Will Todman , Lubna Yousef , and Mennah Abdelwahab — July 11, 2023

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Has the United Nations Failed Ukraine and the World?

For many, Russia’s actions in Ukraine crystallized a fundamental threat to human rights and humanitarian principles. However, Russia’s tactics were most clearly distilled during the Syrian conflict. In Syria, the Assad regime and Russia presented a successful blueprint for how to exploit multilateral institutions and humanitarian assistance.

Congressional Testimony by Natasha Hall — September 27, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Viewpoint: Data Dead Zone

The Middle East is largely a water data dead zone, complicating water management strategies that could lead to development and peace.

Podcast Episode by Natasha Hall and Leah Hickert — September 26, 2023

CSIS Babel

Biden’s Efforts to Bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords

Jon Alterman argues that the Biden administration came into office with a pledge of normalcy, but its emphasis on Israel-Saudi ties is markedly different from its predecessors. Even so, the administration is determined not to let the Middle East become a distraction.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 22, 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

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Tarek Megerisi: Libya's Crises

Jon Alterman speaks with Tarek Megerisi about Libya’s crises, including its ongoing armed conflict and the recent flooding.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Will Todman , and Leah Hickert — September 20, 2023

CSIS Babel
The Truth of the Matter

Iran Hostage Release: Honey and Vinegar

CSIS’s Jon Alterman joins the podcast to discuss the deal the U.S. made to retrieve 5 American prisoners from Iran, plus approaches the U.S. may take to deal with Tehran going forward.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Jon B. Alterman — September 20, 2023

CSIS the truth of the matter

Profile: Arab Youth Climate Movement – Qatar

Climate change and environmental issues have only recently become a subject of public discussion in the Gulf. In the run up to COP21 in Paris in 2015, a group of young people formed the Arab Youth Climate Movement – Qatar (AYCM) to address this issue, becoming the first fully independent youth-led association in Qatar focused on youth and climate issues. Will Todman writes about AYCM's efforts in mainstreaming climate discussions in the Gulf. 

Blog Post by Will Todman — September 20, 2023

Roundtable Summary: Civil Society and Environmental Action in the Gulf

As Gulf governments increase their collaboration on environmental issues, CSIS convened a private roundtable with Gulf civil society actors to explore the role that civil society actors can play in bolstering state-level collaboration efforts and driving environmental action. Participants included academics, activists, and analysts from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. They debated avenues to strengthen regional collaboration, pathways for civil society actors to influence government policy, and ways in which international actors can bolster their efforts. 

Blog Post by Will Todman — September 20, 2023

Running Dry: Exploring the Water Crisis in Syria

Please join the Middle East Program for an event that sheds light on the water crisis in Syria and explores its effects on local communities with a focus on the political, financial, and social obstacles to alleviating water insecurity.

Event by Natasha Hall , Marjolaine Bos , Simav Hassan , Marie Schellens , Peter Schwartzstein , and Nadeen Taha — September 19, 2023

Audio Briefs

“Whose Water Is It Anyway”: Audio Brief with Natasha Hall

A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Natasha Hall on her commentary with Husam Sobhi, “Whose Water Is It Anyway: How Political Violence and Corruption Has Become Iraq’s Existential Challenge.”

Podcast Episode by Natasha Hall — September 19, 2023

Audio Briefs