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.

 

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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

Photo: Frederic J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Frederic J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

The Vital Triangle

Book by Jon B. Alterman and John W. Garver

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The Implications of the UN Cross-Border Vote in Syria

Russia is threatening to end UN cross-border humanitarian operations in Syria when the needs are rising. This report addresses the potential impact of ending these operations and what those who care about the humanitarian crisis and regional stability should do about it.

Brief by Natasha Hall — June 4, 2021

The Smart Way out of the Middle East

Dr. Jon Alterman discusses how the United States can rebalance away from the Middle East while maintaining influence over its allies and partners.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 22, 2021

Iran Will Still Be a Slog

Dr. Jon Alterman explores three elements of Iran’s strategy to pursue leverage for future negotiations with the United States and its partners.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — January 25, 2021

Designating the Houthis as Terrorists Would Be a Mistake

CSIS’s Jon Alterman discusses the Trump administration’s possible designation of the Houthis as terrorists and the potential impact of such a move on U.S. and Iranian interests.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — November 30, 2020

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Sanam Vakil: Iran and the New U.S. Administration

Jon Alterman talks to Sanam Vakil about both the U.S. and the Iranian elections.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , and Will Todman — November 17, 2020

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Russia in the Middle East: Part Six

The sixth and final part of a podcast miniseries on Russia's presence in the Middle East, hosted by Jon Alterman.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Natasha Hall — October 6, 2020

CSIS Babel

Actions in Anticipation of Iranian Elections

Iran’s presidential elections are scheduled for June 18, 2021, five months after the U.S. presidential inauguration. CSIS’s Jon Alterman lays out how the next administration can influence the climate in which these elections take place.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 5, 2020