Egypt and the Levant

The Middle East Program; Energy Security and Climate Change Program; Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program; and Burke Chair in Strategy analyze shifting dynamics and their implications for U.S. policy in Syria, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Photo: Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu/Getty Images

Photo: Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu/Getty Images

Lebanon Finally Elects a President

On January 9, Lebanon’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as president following 12 failed attempts to elect a president. Middle East Program deputy director and senior fellow Will Todman answers critical questions about Lebanon’s latest political developments.

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Critical Questions by Will Todman — January 10, 2025

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Jon B. 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

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

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Audio Briefs

Lebanon Finally Elects a President

An audio version of “Lebanon Finally Elects a President,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Will Todman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Will Todman — January 10, 2025

Audio Briefs

Lebanon Finally Elects a President

On January 9, Lebanon’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as president following 12 failed attempts to elect a president. Middle East Program deputy director and senior fellow Will Todman answers critical questions about Lebanon’s latest political developments.

Critical Questions by Will Todman — January 10, 2025

Syrian Rebels’ Surprise Offensive Highlights Assad Regime’s Weakness

In a lightning-fast offensive, Syrian rebels took hundreds of kilometers of territory, including Aleppo, that took the Assad regime years to capture. Who are the key players, and can the rebels hold on to their gains? Natasha Hall explains.

Critical Questions by Natasha Hall — December 2, 2024

Syria: Iran and Hezbollah’s Savior and Achilles’ Heel

Without a political solution to the Middle East’s protracted conflicts, Israel’s tactical gains and Iran’s losses will be ephemeral. The consequences to civilians and U.S. interests will be permanent. The experience with Syria’s civil war provides a case in point.

Commentary by Natasha Hall — October 16, 2024

Emerging Trends in Chemical Weapons Usage in the Middle East

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons has emboldened other states to pursue similar strategies. In a new brief, Natasha Hall assesses the risks of chemical weapons proliferation and usage after the Syrian conflict.

Report by Natasha Hall — October 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Seizing Middle East Opportunities

An audio version of “Seizing Middle East Opportunities,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Jon B. Alterman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — September 30, 2024

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Israel-Hezbollah Escalation

An audio version of “Israel-Hezbollah Escalation,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Jon B. Alterman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — September 24, 2024

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Lebanon’s Dangerous Campaign against Refugees

An audio version of “Lebanon’s Dangerous Campaign against Refugees,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Natasha Hall and Will Todman. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — June 4, 2024

Audio Briefs

Lebanon’s Dangerous Campaign against Refugees

Surging anti-refugee rhetoric in Lebanon could spiral into further regional violence and outward migration. To prevent a conflict, the EU and the U.S. must step up resettlement efforts and condition their aid to Lebanon to stop forced deportations and growing violence.

Commentary by Natasha Hall and Will Todman — June 4, 2024