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.

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Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: © Marco Bottigelli/GETTY IMAGES

The Futures Summit Day 1

April 10, 2026 • 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Hosted by Global Development
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Experts

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

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Wartime Energy Economics | Energy Shots

This biweekly video series, hosted by Joseph Majkut and Kevin Book, delivers clear insights, visuals, and straight talk on the latest energy trends.

Event — April 24, 2026

Last Rounds? Status of Key Munitions at the Iran War Ceasefire

The United States has depleted its missile inventories but still has enough to continue fighting this war under any plausible scenario. The risk is with future wars—particularly against a peer competitor like China.

Report by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park — April 21, 2026

The Trade Guys

Hormuz Blockade Impacts and Trump's New Tariff Playbook

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott unpack the latest on the economic impacts of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. They also look at the Trump administration's efforts to implement tariffs under Sections 122 and 301.

Podcast Episode by Alex Kisling, Scott Miller, and William Alan Reinsch — April 20, 2026

CSIS The Trade Guys

Why “Mowing the Grass” Won’t Work in Iran

If the United States decides to pursue the strategy of "mowing the grass" in Iran, it could lay the foundation for prolonged regional instability and global disruption.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — April 17, 2026

Resilience Through Linkage: Russia, Iran, and Aspirations for North–South Trade

The study identifies a clear Russian and Iranian commitment to creating a north–south trade route that could bypass Western sanctions. The report evaluates the route’s potential to reshape the U.S.-dominated global trade system in the coming decades.

Report by Maria Snegovaya, Tina Dolbaia, and Nicholas Fenton — April 16, 2026