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.

 

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China and the Middle East

 

For the Middle East Program’s research on China in the region, please click here.

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

All Great Powers and Geostrategy Content

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The Middle East’s Indifference to Ukraine Is a Warning

CSIS's Jon Alterman examines the unwillingness of U.S. partners in the Middle East to choose sides over the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its implications for great power competition with Russia and China.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — May 12, 2022

Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Six

Jon explores how people and governments in the Middle East see the United States, and what they want from U.S. policy in the region.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 12, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Five

Jon explores U.S. soft power in the Middle East and what makes American culture, ideals, and institutions so attractive.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 5, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Four

Jon explores U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East and how U.S. policymakers think about the use of diplomatic tools. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 29, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Three

Jon explores how the United States has used its economic toolkit in the Middle East, and how sanctions and development aid have been in advancing U.S. interests in the Middle East. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 22, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Two

Jon Alterman explores how the last two decades of heightened U.S. military involvement in the Middle East changed the region, and the U.S. military. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Eliot A. Cohen — March 15, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part One

Jon takes a closer look at how the United States responded to the 9/11 attacks by deepening its involvement in the Middle East, how its role in the region has changed, and how some people think it needs to change a lot more. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 8, 2022

CSIS Babel U.S. in the Middle East
Babel: Translating the Middle East

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part One

Jon takes a closer look at how the United States responded to the 9/11 attacks by deepening its involvement in the Middle East, how its role in the region has changed, and how some people think it needs to change a lot more. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 8, 2022

CSIS Babel

Ukraine, the Middle East, and Hedging

Jon Alterman explores how Middle Eastern governments have responded to Russia's invasion and why their responses have been tepid.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 1, 2022