Middle East Program

Grave at the Fatimid cemetery in Aswan, Egypt.

The CSIS Middle East Program covers all aspects of U.S. policy toward the region, concentrating especially on identifying new voices, framing emerging challenges, and developing opportunities for positive change in the Middle East. To the greatest degree possible, we seek to be "opportunity driven" rather than "threat driven." For more about our program, please click here.

Featured Publication

Gulf Kaleidoscope: Reflections on the Iranian Challenge

As the world works to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, there is widespread agreement on what failure looks like. It is an Iranian bomb—or, more likely, a number of Iranian bombs—that emboldens the Iranian government, threatens the Middle East, and prompts many of Iran’s neighbors to develop their own weapons, thereby raising tensions in the most energy-rich part of the world. Read More

Recent Publications

Middle East Notes and Comment: 'The Education Imperative'
Middle East Notes and Comment: 'Getting Syria Right'
Middle East Notes and Comment: 'The Iran Problem'
Report: 'U.S. Global Health Policy in Palestinian Hands?'
Read more of our original analyses, commentaries, and conference reports HERE.

Middle East Program Projects

The Changing Gulf
The Changing Gulf Project frames the changing realities of the Gulf region through a roundtable series, larger conferences, and publications.
Middle East Notes and Comment
Middle East Notes and Comment is the program's monthly newsletter. Please click here to subscribe.
Egypt in Transition
The Middle East Program is constantly analyzing the Egyptian political transition, providing thoughtful analysis and informed recommendations for U.S. policy.
Gulf Security Project
The Middle East Program is evaluating different strategies the United States can pursue to maintain its security interests in the Gulf now that its combat presence in Iraq has ended.
The Turkey, Russia, Iran Nexus
This project will develop a comprehensive assessment of the emerging nexus of relations between each of these three pivotal countries.
North Africa
The Middle East Program examines emerging trends and developments in North Africa.
Middle East Health Project
The Middle East Health Project analyzes Middle East health programs and their international implications.
Middle East Program Past Projects
Past Middle East projects at CSIS include:
Clear Gold: Water as a Strategic Resource
The Future of U.S.-Israeli Strategic Ties
The China-Middle East Project
Public Policy Training in the Middle East
The Congressional Forum on Islam
Understanding Islamic Charities
Muslim Networks
and Arab Media