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
Why Did the United States Just Bomb Yemen?
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 12, 2024
Dana Stroul: The U.S. Defense Strategy in the Middle East
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Leah Hickert — March 19, 2024
What the Red Sea Crisis Reveals about China’s Middle East Strategy
Jon B. Alterman explains how China's response to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping reveal the ultimate foreign policy goal of undermining the United States.
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 15, 2024
A Strategic Approach to Red Sea Security
Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman — February 14, 2024
Audio Brief: What Will the United States Do after the Drone Strike in Jordan?
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman
A Different Two-State Solution
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman
China's Approach to the Middle East
Event by Jon B. Alterman, Gedaliah Afterman, Lily McElwee, and Yun Sun
All Great Powers and Geostrategy Content
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Sanam Vakil: Iran and the New U.S. Administration
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Will Todman — November 17, 2020
Russia, the United States, and the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — July 21, 2017
Report Launch: "The Other Side of the World"
Event — April 24, 2017
Convergence and Conflict: Potential Sino-American Conflict over the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 15, 2017
Half-Measures in Syria
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 15, 2017
Alliances and American Leadership Project Launch
Event — November 28, 2016
ISIS (Re)Writes History
Report by Jon B. Alterman — November 16, 2015
U.S.-Israel Ties after the Agreement
Report by Haim Malka — November 16, 2015
Netanyahu’s U.S. Visit
Critical Questions by Haim Malka — February 27, 2015
Middle East Notes and Comment: America's Divergence
Newsletter by Jon B. Alterman — April 24, 2014