Middle East

The Middle East Program heads CSIS’s work on the region within the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department, which analyzes a wide range of political, security, and socioeconomic issues related to the Middle East and North Africa.

A tall tower stands in front of a desert.

Analysis: The Regional Fallout of Syria's Unrest

Last weekend, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate with a base in northwest Syria, launched a surprise offensive. The rebels captured Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, and headed toward Homs and Hama, two major population centers. The weekend’s battles mark the first significant shift of battle lines in Syria since 2020. With Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel strongholds picking up, Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the regional and geostrategic implications of a possibly new phase in Syria’s 13-year civil war.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — December 3, 2024

See all analysis on the Middle East

Latest Podcasts

See all podcast episodes on the Middle East

Recent Events

Photo: CSIS

Photo: CSIS

China in the Middle East

November 4, 2024 • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm EST
Video On Demand
Hosted by Middle East Program
See all events on the Middle East

Related Programs

Experts

Jon B. Alterman

Jon B. Alterman

Senior Vice President, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and Director, Middle East Program
Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Will Todman

Will Todman

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

All Middle East Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 1882 results

Global Conflicts to Watch in 2025: Escalating Humanitarian Needs

This discussion brings together humanitarian experts, policy leaders, and field practitioners to reflect on the landscape of humanitarian need, particularly in conflict settings, in 2024 and look forward to which areas need attention in 2025.  

Event — December 13, 2024

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: The Regional Fallout of Syria's Unrest

Last weekend, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate with a base in northwest Syria, launched a surprise offensive. The rebels captured Syria’s second-largest city, Aleppo, and headed toward Homs and Hama, two major population centers. The weekend’s battles mark the first significant shift of battle lines in Syria since 2020. With Russian and Syrian airstrikes on rebel strongholds picking up, Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the regional and geostrategic implications of a possibly new phase in Syria’s 13-year civil war.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — December 3, 2024

CSIS Babel
The Truth of the Matter

All About the Missiles

CSIS’s director of the Missile Defense Project Tom Karako joins the podcast to talk about missile escalations in the Ukraine Russia war, plus how missiles are critical to the conflicts in the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Tom Karako — December 2, 2024

CSIS the truth of the matter

Syrian Rebels’ Surprise Offensive Highlights Assad Regime’s Weakness

In a lightning-fast offensive, Syrian rebels took hundreds of kilometers of territory, including Aleppo, that took the Assad regime years to capture. Who are the key players, and can the rebels hold on to their gains? Natasha Hall explains.

Critical Questions by Natasha Hall — December 2, 2024

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Arwa Damon: Gaza's Wounds

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Arwa Damon, a former CNN international correspondent and founder of the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA). She talks with Jon from Gaza. Together, they discuss her two decades of work in war zones and the effects of war on the young children her charity supports. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Natasha Hall to discuss the challenges of humanitarian work in war zones. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Natasha Hall, and Martin Pimentel — November 26, 2024

CSIS Babel

Arwa Damon: Gaza’s Wounds

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Arwa Damon about her current humanitarian work in Gaza. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Martin Pimentel and Natasha Hall to discuss the challenges of humanitarian work in war zones. 

Transcript — November 26, 2024

Reviving Chemical Weapons Accountability in a Multipolar World

Next week's 29th Session of the Conference of States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is an opportunity to revitalize accountability and global cooperation in an age of impunity.

Commentary by Natasha Hall and Doreen Horschig — November 21, 2024

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Saudi Arabia's Economic Plans Stumble

One pillar of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 development plan is NEOM, a land development, tourism, and model city project that is projected to cost at least a half a trillion dollars. Last week, NEOM’s CEO left suddenly. Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about NEOM, its challenges, and Saudi Arabia’s economic future. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — November 19, 2024

CSIS Babel