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 by:GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images
Saudi Arabia Steps Out
The recent China-brokered agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran represents a new era of Saudi diplomacy, shifting away from passive agreement with the United States and toward greater independent engagement in the region and beyond.
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 22, 2023

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

Why Did China Help Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties?
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman
All content by Great Powers and Geostrategy
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The Implications of the UN Cross-Border Vote in Syria
Brief by Natasha Hall — June 4, 2021
The Smart Way out of the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 22, 2021
Iran Will Still Be a Slog
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — January 25, 2021
Enemies—and Partners—Will Get a Vote in the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — December 17, 2020
Designating the Houthis as Terrorists Would Be a Mistake
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — November 30, 2020
Sanam Vakil: Iran and the New U.S. Administration
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , and Will Todman — November 17, 2020

Hassan Barari: How the Middle East Views the U.S. Election
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Will Todman , and Daniel Sharp — November 3, 2020

Pivoting to Asia Doesn’t Get You Out of the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 19, 2020
Russia in the Middle East: Part Six
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Natasha Hall — October 6, 2020

Actions in Anticipation of Iranian Elections
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 5, 2020