Environment and Governance

Analyzing environment and governance issues and opportunities throughout the region

The Middle East is a region of extremes. It contains both the world’s largest deposits of hydrocarbons and some of the most water-scarce nations in the world. Growing populations challenge governments to supply adequate water, energy, and waste disposal in a manner that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable. The Middle East Program explores innovative ways governments, businesspeople, and civic groups are addressing service provision, energy security, and climate change both within countries and across the region.

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The Middle East’s Coming Centrality

Dr. Jon Alterman discusses the Middle East’s likely future on the world stage as the energy transition looms on the horizon.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 20, 2022

Photo: HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI/AFP/Getty Images

The Middle East Transition We Need to Talk About

Dr. Jon B. Alterman calls attention to a transition in the Middle East that receives little attention, and how the United States can help regional states approach the looming changes to the benefit of U.S. strategic interests.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — July 21, 2022

Photo: MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images

Morocco's Sand Mafias

Unregulated sand mining in Morocco is fueling construction of new tourism developments, but it's also threatening the very coastline on which those developments rely.

Newsletter by Fiona Leary — January 12, 2022

Morocco's Sand Mafias

Lebanon’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Will Todman moderates a panel discussion on the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. 

Event by Jon B. Alterman , Jacob Kurtzer , Will Todman , Sally Abi Khalil , Haneen Sayed , Georges Kettaneh , and Maha Yahya — November 16, 2021

Photo: MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Karim Sadjadpour: Iran's Future

Jon Alterman talks with Karim Sadjadpour about tipping points in Iran and the future of the Islamic Republic regime.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Will Todman , and Caleb Harper — July 13, 2021

CSIS Babel

Toward Sustainable States

Dr. Jon Alterman explores human and economic development in the Middle East, focusing on particular areas of challenge and opportunity, and discusses the outsized potential for progress through environmentally sustainable public services.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — June 28, 2021

Photo: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel's New Government

Jon Alterman talks with Dahlia Scheindlin about Israel's new government and where it can go from here.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , and Caleb Harper — June 15, 2021

CSIS Babel