Egypt and the Levant

Egypt and the Levant have historically served as the seat of power in the Middle East and North Africa, but two decades of conflict and upheaval have eroded their stability and influence. Developments including the war in Gaza, the weakening of Iran’s proxies across the region, and the fall of Bashar al Assad in Syria have been particularly significant in shaping the trajectory of the region as well as U.S. policy toward the Middle East and Northern Africa at large. CSIS experts analyze this critical moment and its effects on Middle Eastern and U.S. security, politics, social change, climate, and the economy.

Photo: BASHAR TALEB/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: BASHAR TALEB/AFP/Getty Images

What Comes Next for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?

On October 8, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his peace deal for Gaza. Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman unpack the agreement’s timing, Trump’s role, remaining challenges, and regional ramifications.

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Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman — October 9, 2025

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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

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What Comes Next for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?

On October 8, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his peace deal for Gaza. Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman unpack the agreement’s timing, Trump’s role, remaining challenges, and regional ramifications.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman — October 9, 2025

Why Trump’s Executive Order on Qatar Marks a Historic Shift

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order that provides Qatar with an explicit security guarantee in the event of “external attack.” Mona Yacoubian analyzes its timing, significance, and situates it in a broader context.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — October 2, 2025

Doha Strikes Highlight Clashing Visions of the Middle East

The September 9 Israeli attack on Hamas officials in Qatar marked a watershed for the region and illustrated the stark contrast in regional approaches to shaping the Middle East’s emerging order.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — September 24, 2025

Israel Strikes Hamas in Qatar

On September 9, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that the Israeli Air Force conducted an assassination attempt against Hamas leaders in Doha. This comes as Israel is escalating its efforts to force Hamas to surrender.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian and Will Todman — September 9, 2025

Is Israel Headed for a Forever War in Gaza?

On August 8, the Israeli security cabinet announced its decision to take control of Gaza City. This risks Israel embedding itself in a “forever war,” while also worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian — August 8, 2025

Experts React: Starvation in Gaza

CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein — July 28, 2025

Can Syria Recover? Why Sanctions Relief Is Not Enough

President Trump’s recent announcement to lift sanctions on Syria is an important first step, but it’s not enough. The United States and Syria’s other partners now need to clear the remaining obstacles to stability and economic recovery.

Commentary by Natasha Hall and Ninar Fawal — May 29, 2025

The Gaza War Resumes

Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza will likely help secure Netanyahu’s ruling coalition and are a response to both Hamas’s shows of strength and the new Trump administration’s support for Israel. Still, they could indicate a less favorable long-term outcome.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 18, 2025