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

Russia Podcast Miniseries
Newsletter — September 15, 2020
Jake Sullivan: U.S. Grand Strategy in the Middle East

Photo: JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
When Our Middle East Friends Talk, They Talk about Hedging
Dr. Jon Alterman discusses how uncertainty in a changing global environment is driving Middle Eastern countries to hedge between regional rivals, as well as between the United States and China.
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 22, 2022

China Podcast Miniseries
Newsletter — January 21, 2020
Chinese and Russian Influence in the Middle East
Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman

Photo: Frederic J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
The Vital Triangle
Book by Jon B. Alterman and John W. Garver

Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Rethinking Saudi Arabia
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman
All content by Great Powers and Geostrategy
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The Middle East’s Coming Centrality
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 20, 2022

The Middle East Transition We Need to Talk About
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — July 21, 2022

Rethinking Saudi Arabia
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — June 23, 2022

The Middle East’s Indifference to Ukraine Is a Warning
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — May 12, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Seven
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 19, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Six
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 12, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Five
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — April 5, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Four
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 29, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Three
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 22, 2022

U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Two
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Eliot A. Cohen — March 15, 2022
