Great Powers and Geostrategy
Analyzing Great Power engagement with the Middle East and the region’s geostrategic questions
Most analysts note the growing Russian and Chinese presence in the Middle East and presume that the Great Powers will increasingly compete for influence there, given the region’s energy reserves and security vulnerabilities. Yet, even now, the Great Powers see the Middle East differently from each other. Changes in the global energy mix, demographics, trade patterns, and other factors are likely to heighten those differences in the coming decades. The Middle East Program examines evolving trends in Great Power-Middle East engagement, as well as Great Power conflict and collaboration within the region, with a focus on geostrategy.
Featured Analysis

Photo: Hasan Belal/Anadolu/Getty Images
Natasha Hall in The New York Times: There's Still a Chance to Get Syria Right
Commentary by Natasha Hall — April 2, 2025

Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
Trump Takes on the Houthis
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025

Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
Can the Gulf’s Iran Policy Survive the War?
Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — June 17, 2025

Photo:Majid Saeedi/Getty Images
Middle East on Edge After Israeli Strikes Derail Nuclear Talks
Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — June 13, 2025

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Did Trump Just Upend Decades of U.S. Middle East Policy?
Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — June 10, 2025
All Great Powers and Geostrategy Content
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Israel and Iran At War: What Comes Next?
Event — June 17, 2025
Israel and Iran at War: What Comes Next?
Transcript — June 17, 2025
Can Syria Recover? Why Sanctions Relief Is Not Enough
Commentary by Natasha Hall and Ninar Fawal — May 29, 2025
Trump Announces Lifting of Sanctions on Syria
Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — May 13, 2025
Natasha Hall in The New York Times: There's Still a Chance to Get Syria Right
Commentary by Natasha Hall — April 2, 2025
Trump Takes on the Houthis
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025
The Gaza War Resumes
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 18, 2025
Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Event — March 6, 2025
Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Transcript — March 6, 2025
