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.

 

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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: BASHAR TALEB/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: BASHAR TALEB/AFP/Getty Images

What Comes Next for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?

On October 8, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his peace deal for Gaza. Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman unpack the agreement’s timing, Trump’s role, remaining challenges, and regional ramifications.

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Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman — October 9, 2025

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Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Trump Administration’s Middle East Policy: Shaping an Emerging Regional Order

The Trump administration stands before a historic opportunity to help usher the Middle East into a new era of stability and prosperity. Its engagement in the Middle East is shaping the contours of the emerging regional order—whether by default or design.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — October 6, 2025

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Featured Podcast

A tall tower stands in front of a desert.

Mohanad Hage Ali: Hezbollah and the Captagon Trade

Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Mohanad Hage Ali, deputy director for research at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. Together, they discuss Hezbollah’s involvement in these drug networks, as well as the opportunities to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and state institutions as a result of the group’s weakened standing.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Mona Yacoubian, and Asher Grant-Sasson — May 15, 2025

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Why Trump’s Executive Order on Qatar Marks a Historic Shift

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order that provides Qatar with an explicit security guarantee in the event of “external attack.” Mona Yacoubian analyzes its timing, significance, and situates it in a broader context.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — October 2, 2025

Israel Strikes Hamas in Qatar

On September 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that the Israeli Air Force conducted an assassination attempt against Hamas leaders in Doha. This comes as Israel is escalating its efforts to force Hamas to surrender.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman — September 9, 2025

Is Israel Headed for a Forever War in Gaza?

On August 8, the Israeli security cabinet announced its decision to take control of Gaza City. This risks Israel embedding itself in a “forever war,” while also worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — August 8, 2025

Experts React: Starvation in Gaza

CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein — July 28, 2025

The Truth of the Matter

Emergency Podcast: Iran Strikes Back

CSIS Middle East Program Director Mona Yacoubian joins the podcast to discuss Monday’s strike by Iran on Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American military installation in the Middle East and the broader strategic implications of the conflict.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Mona Yacoubian — June 23, 2025

CSIS the truth of the matter

Israel and Iran At War: What Comes Next? 

CSIS experts Daniel Byman and Doreen Horschig join Mona Yacoubian to discuss current developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, moderated by Will Todman.

Event — June 17, 2025