Middle East

The Middle East is undergoing a transformative moment where the old order is vanishing and a new one is beginning to take shape. Wars in Gaza and Iran, the evolution of terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and the fall of Bashar al Assad have dramatically changed the region, leading to unprecedented conflict and alliances in the midst of changing economies and energy flows. CSIS experts grapple with these fast-moving developments and explore questions surrounding issues such as geopolitics and geostrategy, governance, counterterrorism, economics, and water security.

Photo: tuastockphoto/Adobe Stock

Photo: tuastockphoto/Adobe Stock

Mapping Iranian Cyberattacks on U.S. Water Systems

Recent Iranian cyberattacks on U.S. water systems were months in the making. These charts combine press reporting and CSIS expert analysis to provide a clearer picture of the attacks and their impact on the U.S. water sector.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — August 18, 2026

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Jon Alterman

Jon B. Alterman

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
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
Douglas Comstock

Douglas Comstock

Fellow for Satellite Imagery Analysis and Open-Source Intelligence, iDeas Lab
Andrew Faulhaber

Andrew Faulhaber

Visiting Fellow, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program

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Mapping Iranian Cyberattacks on U.S. Water Systems

Recent Iranian cyberattacks on U.S. water systems were months in the making. These charts combine press reporting and CSIS expert analysis to provide a clearer picture of the attacks and their impact on the U.S. water sector.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — August 18, 2026

Cache Me If You Can

The Cyber Threat to U.S. Water Infrastructure

Lauryn Williams, Nikita Shah, and Caitlin Welsh join Will Todman on the State of Play podcast to discuss why U.S. critical infrastructure remains vulnerable, how to respond, and whether there is enough evidence to attribute the attacks to Iran.

Podcast Episode by Lauryn Williams, Will Todman, Caitlin Welsh, and Nikita Shah — August 17, 2026

Photo: CSIS

The Battle for Hormuz Will Reshape the Global LNG Market

The future of the Strait of Hormuz will determine Qatar’s LNG fortunes. As long as Washington and Tehran compete over the waterway, disruptions will persist. Qatar could emerge as either the biggest winner—or the biggest loser—of the Iran conflict.

Report by Leslie Palti-Guzman — August 5, 2026

Rethinking Water as a Frontline Security Risk

Water has emerged as a frontline security challenge. As scarcity, mismanagement, climate change, and conflict converge, water is being weaponized for geopolitical objectives worldwide. What can policymakers do to protect critical water infrastructure and mitigate risks?

Critical Questions by Franck Gbaguidi and Caitlin Welsh — August 5, 2026

Navigating the Strait of Hormuz Energy Crisis

The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program is pleased to host Jérôme Bilodeau, for a discussion on the global energy implications of the Strait of Hormuz crisis and how governments have responded to disruptions in energy markets.

Event — August 4, 2026

Six Reasons Why the United States Is Low on Munitions

The Iran war has exacerbated the Pentagon’s shortage of key munitions, but it is not the only cause. There are also longstanding strategic, operational, and institutional reasons.

Commentary by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — July 31, 2026