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

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

Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images

Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images

Trump Takes on the Houthis

The Trump administration is escalating attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to Houthi assaults on commercial shipping. The U.S. government is also increasingly blaming Iran for Houthi actions, which could intensify the conflict between the two countries.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025

Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Can the Gulf’s Iran Policy Survive the War?

“Israel and the Gulf have rival visions for Iran’s role in the region. Now Washington has to pick one,” writes CSIS’s Mona Yacoubian in Foreign Policy.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — June 17, 2025

Photo:Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Photo:Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Middle East on Edge After Israeli Strikes Derail Nuclear Talks

On June 13, Israel launched widespread attacks on Iran. Mona Yacoubian explores reasons why, possible responses, and what this means for the region and the United States.

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Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — June 13, 2025

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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

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.

Transcript — June 17, 2025

Can Syria Recover? Why Sanctions Relief Is Not Enough

President Trump’s recent announcement to lift sanctions on Syria is an important first step, but it’s not enough. The United States and Syria’s other partners now need to clear the remaining obstacles to stability and economic recovery.

Commentary by Natasha Hall and Ninar Fawal — May 29, 2025

Trump Announces Lifting of Sanctions on Syria

President Trump’s announcement that he is lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria could yield both Gulf goodwill and lucrative business opportunities. While some are undoubtedly happy with the decision, it also foregoes U.S. leverage on Syria’s new government.
 

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — May 13, 2025

Trump Takes on the Houthis

The Trump administration is escalating attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to Houthi assaults on commercial shipping. The U.S. government is also increasingly blaming Iran for Houthi actions, which could intensify the conflict between the two countries.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025

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

Audio Briefs

Accidental Empire

An audio version of “Accidental Empire,” a new commentary by CSIS's Jon B. Alterman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — February 25, 2025

Audio Briefs