CSIS Middle East

TOMORROW: Join @paul_salem and @myacoubian tomorrow at 9:00 AM ET for a discussion with leading Lebanese civil society voices Sami Atallah and @DianaMenhem on Lebanon's reform agenda. www.csis.org/events/civil...

Lebanon’s reform agenda faces a critical test. What progress has been made over the past year and a half, and what obstacles continue to stand in the way? Join us on Oct. 28 at 9 AM ET for a discussion with leading voices from Lebanese civil society. www.csis.org/events/civil...

"Saudi Arabia must be clear-eyed about the limitations of what the current military campaign can accomplish and be prepared to pursue de-escalation once those limits have been realized," writes Senior Fellow Allison Minor. Read her Commentary here: www.csis.org/analysis/avo...

NEW EVENT: Join the CSIS Middle East Program on October 28 at 9:00 AM ET for a discussion with leading Lebanese civil society voices on Lebanon's reform agenda. www.csis.org/events/civil...

More than 1.7 million Syrian refugees have returned since December 2024, but explosive remnants of war pose a major obstacle to safe resettlement. Ninar Fawal examines how UXO contamination varies across Syria relative to returning populations. www.csis.org/analysis/ris...

NEW EVENT: Civil Society Perspectives on Lebanon’s Reform Agenda Join the CSIS Middle East Program on Oct. 28 at 9 AM ET for a discussion on Lebanon’s reform agenda, featuring leading voices from Lebanese civil society. Register: www.csis.org/events/civil...

Last weekend, the Houthis conducted their deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia for over a decade. What options does Saudi Arabia have going forward? @willtodman.bsky.social, Allison Minor, and Michael Ratney unpack recent developments in a new State of Play episode below. www.csis.org/podcasts/sta...

In the wake of the Riyadh airport attacks, Saudi Arabia risks getting sucked into another long, costly war that ultimately only emboldens the Houthis and deepens the regional conflict. Allison Minor outlines a better approach. Read here: www.csis.org/analysis/avo...

The CSIS Middle East Program is excited to announce that Allison Minor has joined the team as a senior fellow. Read the press release here: www.csis.org/news/allison...

The Iran war has exposed new questions about Saudi Arabia’s security partnerships. Read "Saudi Arabia Faces the Era of Disequilibrium" by Michael Ratney, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, here: www.csis.org/analysis/sau...

"In the immediate term, Saudi Arabia is faced with the same two options it has always had: military operations and diplomacy," writes Non-resident Senior Adviser and former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney about Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. www.csis.org/analysis/uni...

📈 Charting the Middle East: The Price of Exclusion @willtodman.bsky.social examines how Western aid cuts have exposed the limits of the international response to Syrian refugees—and why economic inclusion could reduce aid needs while enabling greater self-reliance. www.csis.org/analysis/pri...

In a new report, @willtodman.bsky.social argues that the current model for refugee management has failed, and that international actors should advance a new approach that prioritizes Syrian refugees' self-reliance and private sector integration. Read here: www.csis.org/analysis/sel...

A new regional order is emerging in the Middle East. At the launch of the Middle East Futures Project, experts discussed alternate futures, regional realignments, and how U.S. policy could shape—and be shaped by—the region’s transformation. www.csis.org/events/middl...

This installment of Charting the Middle East by @myacoubian.bsky.social and Kira Nygren examines the rapid rise in government-set fuel prices in Syria that led to most widespread public demonstrations since the fall of former president Bashar al Assad. www.csis.org/analysis/fue...

The Middle East is entering a period of profound uncertainty as the old regional order gives way to something new. @myacoubian.bsky.social examines this “hinge moment” and the forces that could shape what comes next. www.csis.org/analysis/mid...

The Levant is at a potential turning point. For The Middle East Futures Papers, Paul Salem examines whether Syria and Lebanon can capitalize on a changing regional environment to build stronger states and a more stable regional order. Read here: www.csis.org/analysis/lev...

Lebanon is at a critical economic juncture. Finance Minister H.E. Yassine Jaber joined Mona Yacoubian and Paul Salem to discuss banking reform, the financial gap, IMF negotiations, public finances, and the path toward economic recovery. www.csis.org/events/conve...

What does the emerging regional order in the Middle East mean for U.S. policy? At the launch of the CSIS Middle East Futures Project, an expert panel examined alternate futures, regional realignments, and the evolving role of the United States. Watch: www.csis.org/events/middl...

“Saudi Arabia still sees opportunity, but also graver risks than it may once have recognized,” writes Michael Ratney about the Iran war’s impact on the kingdom. Read the fourth installment of The Middle East Futures Papers here. www.csis.org/analysis/sau...

HAPPENING NOW: Tune in to this expert panel examining alternate futures, regional realignments, and how U.S. policy could shape—and stand to be impacted by—the emergence of a new regional order. Watch here: www.csis.org/events/middl...

TODAY at 11:30 AM EDT: Join us for Middle East Futures: U.S. Policy in an Emerging Regional Order, an expert panel launching the Middle East Futures Project. Featuring Vali Nasr, Michael Ratney, Paul Salem, & Daniel B. Shapiro. Moderated by Mona Yacoubian. Register: www.csis.org/events/middl...

Want to stay up to date with our program? Subscribe to our newsletter, Middle East Notes and Comment, for our latest publications, upcoming events, and opportunities to engage with the program. Link here: www.csis.org/programs/mid...

In our latest Charting the Middle East, Mon Yacoubian and Kira Nygren analyze how regional conflicts have led to a rapid increase in fuel prices in Syria, leading to the most widespread protests since the fall of Assad. Read the full analysis here: www.csis.org/analysis/fue...

"The core of any stable Levantine order is successful state building in Syria and Lebanon." @paul_salem writes in the third installment of The Middle East Futures Papers. www.csis.org/analysis/lev...

What comes next for Lebanon’s economy? H.E. Yassine Jaber, Lebanon’s Minister of Finance, joined @CSIS_MEP to discuss the country’s banking and financial reforms, IMF talks, public finances, and economic outlook. Watch the webcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVle...

Saudi Arabia is under sustained attack by the Houthis. What does Washington’s response—and reluctance to engage directly—mean for the future of the U.S.-Saudi security partnership? Read the commentary by Non-resident Senior Adviser Michael Ratney here: www.csis.org/analysis/uni...

Join us TODAY at 11 AM for a discussion with Lebanon’s Minister of Finance H.E. Yassine Jaber on the country’s economic outlook, financial reforms, and prospects for recovery. Send us your audience questions below: www.csis.org/events/conve...

TOMORROW AT 11 AM: Join Paul Salem and @myacoubian.bsky.social as they discuss Lebanon's economic outlook and priorities with Minister of Finance H.E. Yassine Jaber. We welcome questions from the audience. Register here: www.csis.org/events/conve...

The Middle East Futures Papers is a Commentary series that analyzes the Middle East’s current period of disequilibrium, explores future scenarios for the region, and identifies potential pathways forward. Check out the series page here: www.csis.org/programs/mid...

On Sept. 21 at 11 AM, the CSIS Middle East Program will host Lebanon’s Minister of Finance H.E. Yassine Jaber for a discussion on the country’s economic outlook, financial reforms, and prospects for recovery. Audience questions welcome. www.csis.org/events/conve...

Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. What comes next for banking reform, IMF negotiations, and economic recovery? Join Paul Salem and Mona Yacoubian for a conversation with Lebanon’s Minister of Finance H.E. Yassine Jaber on Monday, September 21. www.csis.org/events/conve...

Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. What comes next for banking reform, IMF negotiations, and economic recovery? Join Paul Salem and Mona Yacoubian for a conversation with Lebanon’s Minister of Finance H.E. Yassine Jaber on Monday, September 21. Audience questions welcome.

"Iran believes that its hold over the Strait of Hormuz will diminish U.S. appetite for another war with Iran, and that will in turn limit Israel’s military options," writes @valinasr.bsky.social in the second installment of The Middle East Futures Papers. www.csis.org/analysis/ira...

Join CSIS on Sept. 21 at 11 AM for a conversation with Lebanon’s Finance Minister H.E. Yassine Jaber on the country’s economic outlook and priorities, moderated by Paul Salem and with opening remarks by Mona Yacoubian. Register: www.csis.org/events/conve...

"The Middle East is at a 'hinge moment.' It is entering a period of disequilibrium with the old order collapsing and a new one yet to emerge," writes @myacoubian.bsky.social in the first installment of The Middle East Futures Papers. Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/mid...

🗣️ NEW DATE & TIME: Join CSIS for a conversation with Lebanon’s Finance Minister H.E. Yassine Jaber on Sept. 21 at 11 AM. Moderated by Paul Salem, with opening remarks by Mona Yacoubian. Audience questions welcome! Register: www.csis.org/events/conve...

UPCOMING EVENT: Join the CSIS Middle East Program on Wednesday, September 9 at 9 AM EDT for a discussion on Lebanon's economic outlook with H.E. Yassine Jaber, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lebanon. Register here: www.csis.org/events/conve...

How has the war with Iran impacted food prices, the availability of medication, and Syria's economy and trade? Check out our latest Charting the Middle East to learn more: www.csis.org/programs/mid...

Mona Yacoubian, Senior Adviser and Director of the CSIS Middle East Program, recently spoke to The Hill on the latest round of escalation in the region. Read the full piece here: thehill.com/policy/defen...

NEW EVENT: Join the CSIS Middle East Program on Wednesday, September 9 at 9 AM EDT for a discussion on Lebanon's economic outlook with H.E. Yassine Jaber, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Lebanon. Register here: www.csis.org/events/conve...

Turkey remains Syria's top trading partner, but Asia and the Gulf are rapidly gaining ground. Philip Luck on what Syria's shifting import map reveals about its reintegration into the global economy: www.csis.org/analysis/ope...

How is the region's war is reshaping GDP, inflation, food security & remittances, and what it means for Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Gulf diversification efforts? View @myacoubian.bsky.social’s conversation with IMF's Jihad Azour: www.csis.org/events/middl...

Saudi Arabia tried to stay out of the Iran war. Now Houthi attacks on its ships and infrastructure are pulling it in. Amb. Michael Ratney on how we got here, and the hard choices Riyadh now faces: www.csis.org/analysis/hou...

Syria's imports jumped 81% in 2025, from $4 billion to $7.3 billion, following the fall of Assad and the lifting of U.S. sanctions. Philip Luck on what's driving the surge, and steps forward for Syria's economic reintegration: www.csis.org/analysis/ope...

Lebanon and Israel went into Rome with, as Paul Salem puts it, "almost opposite" roadmaps. Read his breakdown of what each side wanted in the negotiations: www.csis.org/analysis/bey...

As the Iran war raises the risk of medicine shortages, Kira Nygren examines the Middle East's push toward pharmaceutical self-sufficiency, and how far the region still has to go. www.csis.org/analysis/loc...

Maha Yahya, Joseph Bahout, and Alia Moubayed joined Paul Salem on Lebanon's strategic outlook, covering diplomacy, governance, and economic recovery. Watch their full discussion: www.csis.org/events/leban...

Amb. Michael Ratney: Saudi Arabia never wanted this war, and now the Houthis are dragging it further in. A new entanglement in Yemen, he writes, is "the last thing Saudi Arabia needs." www.csis.org/analysis/hou...

The Middle East's reliance on imported pharmaceuticals is what Kira Nygren calls a "strategic vulnerability." Her look at how governments are investing in domestic production, and why self-sufficiency remains out of reach: www.csis.org/analysis/loc...