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
- Mennah Abdelwahab
- Program Coordinator and Research Assistant, Middle East Program
- 2024578749
- mabdelwahab@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Assistant Director of Communications, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: YAHYA HASSOUNA/AFP/Getty Images
Israel Could Lose
In a new commentary, Jon Alterman explains that while Israel has the most formidable fighting force in the region, it needs to prioritize winning back global support, invigorating the Palestinian Authority, and splitting Hamas off from the population.
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — November 7, 2023

Analysis: Developments in the Israel-Hamas War
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Leah Hickert — October 24, 2023

What Comes after War in Gaza
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 12, 2023

The World Can’t Solve the Israel-Hamas War without Egypt
Commentary by Daniel Byman and Jon B. Alterman — October 25, 2023

Has the United Nations Failed Ukraine and the World?
Congressional Testimony by Natasha Hall — September 27, 2023
Featured Projects
All Middle East Program Content
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A Mezze: Keeping Iraq's Solar Community on Message
Podcast Episode by Lubna Yousef and Will Todman — August 15, 2023

Water in a Multipolar World: China and the Issue of Water Management
Commentary by Natasha Hall and Ashok Swain — August 14, 2023
Hana Al Omair: The Saudi Film Industry
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman Daniel Sharp and Will Todman — August 8, 2023

A Mezze: Bride of the Beqqa
Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Lubna Yousef — August 1, 2023

Jason Rezaian: The Rise of Hostage Taking
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman Natasha Hall and Daniel Sharp — July 25, 2023

Israel’s Third Juncture in History
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — July 24, 2023
Tunisia’s Hunger Games
Newsletter — July 24, 2023
A Mezze: Saudis Take to the Streets
Podcast Episode by Lubna Yousef and Layan Shaaban — July 18, 2023

Is There Logic to Russia’s Wrongful Detentions of Americans?
Commentary by Eric Lebson — July 17, 2023
Fifty Years after Hostage Taking Went Global, We’re Still Learning Lessons
Commentary by Christopher P. Costa — July 13, 2023