@mideast.csis.org
The CSIS Middle East Program focuses on the drivers of change in the region and is led by Mona Yacoubian. Follows/RTs ≠ endorsements.
Join us TODAY @ 3pm ET as @victordcha.bsky.social, @myacoubian.bsky.social, Dr. Maria Snegovaya & @brianthart.bsky.social discuss the future of the "Axis of Upheaval" between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Access the virtual event using the link below 👇
www.csis.org/events/what-...
NEW: Middle East Program director @myacoubian sat down with @handrewschwartz to discuss the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran's retaliation on Al Udeid Air Base. Check out "The Truth of the Matter" podcast below.
24.06.2025 20:07 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Israel's strikes on Iran last night have significantly increased the chances of a region-wide war, which neither the United States nor the countries in the region want. @myacoubian.bsky.social unpacks reasons behind the operation, possible responses, and more.
13.06.2025 21:14 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
In today's #Babel episode, Jon Alterman speaks with @mohanad.bsky.social about how Hezbollah's involvement in drug trade networks has evolved over recent years.
It's a special episode, and Mona Yacoubian's first Babel appearance. Make sure you tune in!
Listen🎧: www.csis.org/podcasts/bab...
NEW: Why now? President Trump’s surprise move to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria is shaking up regional geopolitics. In the latest Critical Questions, Mona Yacoubian breaks down the winners, losers, and what’s really behind the timing.
Read more 👉 www.csis.org/analysis/tru...
🚨 NEW #Babel episode🚨 Trump says the Houthis blinked—and calls off the bombs.
But what really drove the sudden U.S. reversal in Yemen? And how does it tie to Iran, Israel, and a looming nuclear deal?
Listen to Jon Alterman's full breakdown here:
www.csis.org/podcasts/bab...
Upcoming Event | Jon Alterman and other CSIS experts will provide a press briefing tomorrow, previewing President Trump's upcoming trip to the Middle East. They'll discuss key issues to watch and regional dynamics.
📆 May 8, 10:00 AM EDT
🔗 Register here: www.csis.org/events/press...
📡 📖 On April 26, a massive explosion at Iran’s largest port, Shahid Rajaee killed at least 70.
Was it an accident—or something more?
In a new Critical Questions piece, Martin Pimentel investigates with exclusive satellite imagery & media reports: www.csis.org/analysis/ira...
🚨 NEW🚨 Dr. Dina Esfandiary joins Jon Alterman on today's #Babel episode to provide revealing insights into shifting Iranian strategy, lessons learned from the JCPOA, and the obstacles—new and old—standing in the way of a nuclear deal.
Check the full episode out here 🎧: www.csis.org/podcasts/bab...
Upcoming Event | @natashahall.bsky.social joins @rbkhoury.bsky.social and Ibrahim al-Assil for a panel discussion at the Baker Institute about #Syrian displacement and return.
🕔 5:30 PM CDT
📆 April 29, 2025
📍 In-person at Rice University, online
Register: www.bakerinstitute.org/event/syrian...
In today's #Babel episode, Jon Alterman analyzes how President Trump’s break from diplomatic norms is reshaping U.S. negotiations—from Gaza to Ukraine to Iran. Is speed and outsider strategy the right gamble?
Tune in to hear Jon's thoughts 👇
How have Middle Eastern countries received Trump's policies, and what sustains Iran's regime? Jon Alterman discusses these questions and more with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas of @progressntwrk.bsky.social on the podcast "What Could Go Right?"
Listen in here 👇
What might make or break the nuclear talks between Iran and the United States? And what advantages does each side hold over the other in negotiations?
Jon Alterman breaks down the aims and possible timelines for the current talks in a new Asked and Answered.
Watch🎥 www.youtube.com/shorts/d64nJ...
"There are some really difficult decisions and concessions needed from both sides," says @willtodman.bsky.social to @cbsnews.com regarding the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
Watch Will's full comments to find out why he remains hopeful about the talks🎥
🚨 NEW🚨 In the latest #Babel episode, Dr. Craig Larkin chats with Jon Alterman about rebuilding and healing after conflict in the Middle East.
Tune in to find out what Dr. Larkin believes the international community gets wrong about post-conflict recovery.
www.csis.org/podcasts/bab...
Upcoming Event | Next Monday, Jon Alterman joins @BuffettInst to discuss the growing phenomenon of state-backed hostage taking and wrongful detention with @jrezaian and @_danigilbert.
📆 Monday, April 21
🕔 4:00 - 5:00 PM CT
Register here: planitpurple.northwestern.edu/event/627642
"If they don’t allow reform, the consequence will be revolution,” says Jon Alterman to the Wall Street Journal about #Iran's economic fragility and the incentives for Iran to strike a deal with President Trump.
Read his full comments here: www.wsj.com/world/middle...
🚨 NEW🚨 In a new #Babel episode, Jon Alterman breaks down why the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are happening now, the obstacles to their success, and what negotiating tactics can be expected from both Washington and Tehran's negotiators.
Tune in here 🎧
Yesterday, President Trump announced that the United States will be negotiating with #Iran over its nuclear program. In a new CSIS Asked & Answered, Jon Alterman explains why these talks are happening now and what obstacles might be encountered.
Watch 🎥 www.youtube.com/shorts/_9lME...
"The Israeli attacks that happened right after the fall of Assad...potentially also obscured efforts toward accountability,” says @natashahall.bsky.social to the New York Times about the continued threat of chemical weapons stockpiles in #Syria.
Read more here:
New on #Babel: Jon Alterman speaks with @dahliasc.bsky.social to make sense of Israel's political disarray, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's controversies and staying power, and upcoming pivot points for the country's politics.
Listen to the full episode here:
🚨 NEW🚨 In an op-ed for @nytimes.com, @natashahall.bsky.social argues that U.S. sanctions risk worsening #Syria's economic, governance, and security crises and creating a vacuum for #Iran, #Hezbollah, and the Islamic State to exploit.
Read more here: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/o...
New on #Babel: Jon Alterman unpacks the motivations behind the recent U.S. strikes on Houthi targets in #Yemen and what the end state of the conflict could look like.
Listen to the full episode here to find out more:
🚨 NEW🚨"If the #Houthis are fighting a war, it gives them an excuse not to deliver to the population," explains Jon Alterman in a new Critical Questions on the recent U.S. strikes against the Houthis.
Dive in here: www.csis.org/analysis/tru...
We're #hiring! The CSIS Middle East Program is seeking in-person, paid interns for Summer 2025. Competitive applicants will have strong research skills and a demonstrated interest in the Middle East.
Find out more and apply here: careers.csis.org/opportunitie...
"The one fact that we know about him is that he's true to himself, and he wants power, and he intends to keep it by fair means or foul," says Nicolas Pelham on #Babel about Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise to power in #Syria.
Listen to his full interview here:
"There is no way this government survives" without sanctions relief, argues @natashahall.bsky.social to Arab News about the challenges facing #Syria's new government.
Read her recent comments below 👇
This week, #Israel resumed airstrikes in #Gaza. In a new commentary, Jon Alterman breaks down what this latest phase of the conflict means for Netanyahu's short-term political coalition and the long-term outcome of the war.
Read here for more:
Diplomats and the business community now treat Saudi Arabia as "a sometimes-brutal government that brooks no challenge but an important global player with whom it is better to engage than isolate," argues Jon Alterman on NBC News.
Read his latest comments here:
Want to know more? Watch the recording of their full conversation here: www.csis.org/events/irani...
14.03.2025 16:10 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
