Middle East

The Middle East Program heads CSIS’s work on the region, which analyzes a wide range of political, security, and socioeconomic issues related to the Middle East and North Africa, with special attention to the ways that changes in the Middle East and North Africa have effects beyond the region.

Photo: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Why Hamas Attacked When It Did

The October 7 Hamas attacks proved devastating for both Israel and ordinary Palestinians. Why did Hamas decide to attack Israel when it did?

Commentary by Daniel Byman and Mackenzie Holtz — December 6, 2023

See all analysis on the Middle East

Latest Podcasts

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The Truth of the Matter

Gaza Hospitals

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and J. Stephen Morrison — November 21, 2023

Recent Events

Photo: CSIS
Video On Demand

Gaza: The Human Toll

Hosted by Global Health Policy Center
November 13, 2023 • 10:30 – 11:30 am EST
See all events on the Middle East

Related Programs

Experts

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

Senior Vice President; Harold Brown Chair; and Director, International Security Program
Will Todman

Will Todman

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

All Middle East Content

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Gaza: The Human Toll—Episode 3

The show will convene regularly during this crisis period to capture clearly and accurately the evolving humanitarian and health situation inside Gaza.

Event — December 6, 2023

Why Hamas Attacked When It Did

The October 7 Hamas attacks proved devastating for both Israel and ordinary Palestinians. Why did Hamas decide to attack Israel when it did?

Commentary by Daniel Byman and Mackenzie Holtz — December 6, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Analysis: The Ripple Effect of Water Insecurity

Leah Hickert speaks with Natasha Hall about why the Middle East's business-as-usual approach to water is becoming more costly by the day.

Podcast Episode by Natasha Hall and Leah Hickert — December 5, 2023

CSIS Babel

The Barriers to MENA Civil Society’s Influence at COP28

Environmental civil society from the MENA region faces unique challenges to achieve that influence at COP, even though the conference is in the Middle East for the second year in a row.

Blog Post by Neeshad Shafi and Will Todman — December 5, 2023

Gaza: The Human Toll—Episode 2

On December 1, 2023, the CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security hosted the second episode of “Gaza: The Human Toll.”

Transcript — December 4, 2023

Gaza: The Human Toll— Episode 2

“Gaza: The Human Toll” will capture the evolving humanitarian and health situation inside Gaza, understand how the conduct of the war is shaping outcomes, understand the policy and operational choices on the table, and think carefully about what may lie ahead.

Event — December 1, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Rula Hardal: Life as a Palestinian Citizen of Israel

Jon Alterman speaks with Rula Hardal about her life in both Israel and the West Bank, what reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians would look like, and the concessions that each side needs to make for a sustainable path forward.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman Will Todman and Leah Hickert — November 28, 2023

CSIS Babel
Babel: Translating the Middle East

Audio Brief: Israel Could Lose

The Israeli military is the most formidable fighting force in the Middle East, but it is possible that the army might lose the war in Gaza.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — November 21, 2023

CSIS Babel

The Israel-Hamas Conflict: Implications for Nuclear Security in the Region

The Israel-Hamas conflict strains Israel-Iran ties, impacting regional nuclear dynamics. It may strengthen Israel’s resolve to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, prompt Iran's nuclear acceleration, and hinder U.S.-Iran diplomacy.

Critical Questions by Doreen Horschig — November 21, 2023