Middle East Program
Providing fresh analysis of the drivers of change in the Middle East
The CSIS Middle East Program provides fresh analysis of the drivers of change in the Middle East to decision makers and thought leaders in the United States and abroad.
The Middle East Program is a source for new ideas that go beyond the conventional wisdom, disseminated through written scholarship, events, and commentary in leading news outlets.
Follow us on Twitter @CSISMidEast and like us on Facebook.
Dr. Alterman serves as the director of the Middle East Program, a position he has held since 2002. Under his leadership, the Middle East Program has launched a biweekly podcast and numerous miniseries, convened events with many of the top thinkers in the field, and conducted innovative research on the Middle East including work on the Chinese influence, sustainability, and cultural shifts in the region.
Contact Information
- Daniel Sharp
- Associate Director and Associate Fellow, Middle East Program
- 202.775.3179
- DSharp@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Featured Analysis

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

Rescuing Aid in Syria
Report by Natasha Hall — February 14, 2022

Powering Recovery: Reform, Reconstruction, and Renewables in Conflict-Affected States in the Arab World
Report by Will Todman , Jon B. Alterman , and Lubna Yousef — March 3, 2023

Babel: U.S. Power and Influence in the Middle East
Podcast Series by Jon B. Alterman

China Podcast Miniseries
Featured Projects
All content by Middle East Program
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Helen Lackner: Yemen in Conflict
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Natasha Hall , and Caleb Harper — November 15, 2022

2022 Washington Humanitarian Forum: Closing the Gap
Event by Jacob Kurtzer , Kimberly Flowers , Katherine E. Bliss , Jon B. Alterman , Marti Flacks , Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , Beza Tesfaye , Natasha Hall , and Hadeil Ali — November 9, 2022
A Mezze: Syrians Need Not Apply
Podcast Episode — November 8, 2022

COP 27 Preview: Electrifying the Middle East with Ali al-Saffar
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Will Todman , and Lubna Yousef — November 1, 2022

COP27 Preview: Electrifying the Middle East
Transcript by Jon B. Alterman — November 1, 2022
Saudi Oil Moves
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz , Joseph Majkut , and Jon B. Alterman — October 28, 2022


Why Playing the ‘Long Game’ Is the Right Approach to Iran’s Protests
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 19, 2022
On the Hook: How Egypt's Military Outcompetes Local Fish Farmers
Newsletter by Caleb Harper — October 19, 2022
Is Iran on the Brink?
Event by Jon B. Alterman , Jason Rezaian , Arash Azizi , and Yeganeh Rezaian — October 18, 2022