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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U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East: Part Three
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 22, 2022
The Enemy Gets A Vote
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — May 16, 2018
Experts React: State of the Union 2018
Commentary — January 31, 2018
Twenty-First Century Partnerships: Examining U.S. Partnerships Worldwide
Event — May 31, 2017
Report Launch: "The Other Side of the World"
Event — April 24, 2017
The Strategic Seam Between Europe and the Middle East: Rethinking U.S. Bilateral and Regional Policies Towards the Eastern Mediterranean
Event — January 25, 2017
Statesmen's Forum: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi
Event — April 16, 2015
Africa in the Wider World: The Maghreb Looks South
Report by Haim Malka — July 25, 2014
The Federated Defense Project Launch
Event — December 16, 2013
2014 Global Forecast
Report by Craig Cohen, Josiane Gabel, Kathleen H. Hicks, Jon Alterman, David Berteau, Ernest Bower, Samuel Brannen, Victor Cha, Heather Conley, Jennifer Cooke, Zack Cooper, Anthony Cordesman, Ralph Cossa, Matthew Goodman, Michael Green, John Hamre, Murray Hiebert, Christopher Johnson, Andrew Kuchins, and Sarah Ladislaw, Robert Lamb, Maren Leed, James Lewis, Haim Malka, Carl Meacham, Scott Miller, Stephen Morrison, Clark Murdock, Aram Nerguizian, Daniel Runde, Sharon Squassoni, Johanna Nesseth Tuttle, Juan Zarate — November 1, 2013