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.

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Analysis: Trump’s Novel Middle East Diplomacy

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the promise and hazards posed by this shift in diplomatic strategy, especially in connection with the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — April 24, 2025

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China in the Middle East

November 4, 2024 • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm EST
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Jon 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

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

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Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Trump’s Novel Middle East Diplomacy

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the promise and hazards posed by this shift in diplomatic strategy, especially in connection with the Middle East.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — April 24, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Craig Larkin: The Politics of Memory, From Mosul to Beirut to Gaza

Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Craig Larkin to unpack different approaches taken to reconstruction and reconciliation after violence in the Middle East. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, Martin Pimentel, and Will Todman — April 17, 2025

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Iran, Deal or No Deal?

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about why nuclear talks with Iran are happening now—and what the Trump administration must do to ensure their success.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — April 10, 2025

CSIS Babel

What Factors Drive U.S.-Israeli Differences on Iran’s Nuclear Challenge?

U.S.-Israeli differences over the Iranian nuclear challenge are growing. With Washington signaling interests in diplomacy and Israel advocating for military action, their diverging strategies could affect strategic alignment and coordination.

Critical Questions by Doreen Horschig and Bailey Schiff — April 4, 2025

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Dahlia Scheindlin: Israel’s Political Turmoil

Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, a Tel Aviv-based political analyst and Haaretz columnist. Together, they discuss the sources of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staying power, as well as his ongoing efforts to remodel key state institutions.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Ninar Fawal, and Will Todman — April 3, 2025

CSIS Babel

Global Terrorism Threat Assessment 2025

Terrorism remains a threat to U.S. citizens, assets, and interests despite the national security community’s decreasing focus on counterterrorism.

Report by Alexander Palmer, Riley McCabe, Daniel Byman, and Skyeler Jackson — March 28, 2025

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: Trump Takes on the Houthis

Asher Grant-Sasson speaks with Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, about the current state of play and the dilemmas confronting U.S. policymakers in dealing with the Houthis.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Asher Grant-Sasson — March 27, 2025

CSIS Babel