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: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images

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

Photo: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Gaza War Resumes

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Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 18, 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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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

Israel and Hamas Reach a Ceasefire

Middle East Program director Jon B. Alterman answers critical questions about the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 21, 2025

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

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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

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