Egypt, Israel, and the Levant

Political, economic, and security trends in Egypt, Israel and Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan

Syria’s decade-long conflict continues to destabilize the Levant. Syria remains an arena for proxy wars by external forces, millions of Syrians experience protracted displacement in the region, and compounding crises in Syria and Lebanon indicate prolonged economic hardship. Meanwhile, Israel’s new relationships with Arab states are creating new opportunities, while it seeks to manage enduring threats from Iran and its proxies in the Levant. The Middle East Program analyzes the evolving political, geopolitical, and humanitarian dynamics in the Levant and Egypt, providing analysis and recommendations for U.S. policy.

See the Middle East Program's publications and past events on Egypt and the Levant HERE.

 

Featured Projects

PHOTO: SYRIAN RED CRESCENT/AFP/GETTYIMAGES

PHOTO: SYRIAN RED CRESCENT/AFP/GETTYIMAGES

Rescuing Aid in Syria

Eleven years into the Syrian conflict, needs continue to rise. Yet, violence, uncertainty, and the Syrian government’s manipulation of the aid sector continues to plague the aid response. This CSIS report articulates the challenges to assistance and how to overcome them.

Report by Natasha Hall — February 14, 2022

Featured Analysis

Photo: Hasan Belal/Anadolu/Getty Images

Photo: Hasan Belal/Anadolu/Getty Images

Natasha Hall in The New York Times: There's Still a Chance to Get Syria Right

Syria is in a fragile state after the overthrow of Bashar al Assad. The United States can help ensure a stable post-Assad transition by engaging the new government, lifting its broad sanctions, and keeping its regional allies in check.

Commentary by Natasha Hall — April 2, 2025

See all analysis on Egypt, Israel, and the Levant

Featured Podcast

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Nicolas Pelham: Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syria’s Future

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Nicolas Pelham, the Middle East correspondent for The Economist. Together, they discuss his latest article, “The Great Pretender: How Ahmed al-Sharaa Won Syria,” an in-depth profile of the Syrian leader based in part on a mid-February interview. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, and Natasha Hall — March 20, 2025

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The Gaza War Resumes

Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza will likely help secure Netanyahu’s ruling coalition and are a response to both Hamas’s shows of strength and the new Trump administration’s support for Israel. Still, they could indicate a less favorable long-term outcome.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 18, 2025

Iranian Networks in the Middle East

Renad Mansour, senior research fellow and project director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House and Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House join Dr. Jon Alterman to discuss emerging trends in Iran's transnational networks.

Event — March 6, 2025

Iranian Networks in the Middle East

Renad Mansour, senior research fellow & project director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House and Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East & North Africa Programme at Chatham House join Dr. Jon Alterman to discuss emerging trends in Iran's transnational networks.

Transcript — March 6, 2025

Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire

Middle East Program director Jon B. Alterman answers critical questions about the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 21, 2025

Audio Briefs

Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire

An audio version of “Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Jon B. Alterman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — January 21, 2025

Audio Briefs

Don’t Rush Syrian Refugees’ Return

After Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in Syria, European countries are rushing to send Syrians back to their home country. But a policy of rapid returns risks undermining the transition, destabilizing the region, and renewing displacement.

Commentary by Will Todman — December 11, 2024

Syrian Rebels’ Surprise Offensive Highlights Assad Regime’s Weakness

In a lightning-fast offensive, Syrian rebels took hundreds of kilometers of territory, including Aleppo, that took the Assad regime years to capture. Who are the key players, and can the rebels hold on to their gains? Natasha Hall explains.

Critical Questions by Natasha Hall — December 2, 2024

What Does Yahya Sinwar’s Death Mean?

After the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Jon B. Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, answers critical questions about the future of the war in Gaza.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — October 17, 2024