Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
Advancing understanding in geostrategy, international security, and global politics
Dr. Jon B. Alterman currently holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. CSIS established the Brzezinski Chair in July 2003 to advance understanding in the fields of geostrategy, international security, and global politics. Reflecting Zbigniew Brzezinski's personal achievements during a long career that has included public service, teaching, and writing, the chair is awarded to a leading scholar-practitioner in global affairs and international strategy.
Much of Alterman’s scholarship has been grounded in his experience studying the Middle East, yet in recent years he has done an increasing amount of work linking his Middle East expertise to global issues. His earlier work on China, the United States and the Middle East, for example, anticipated the growing Middle Eastern energy trade with Asia and the increasing importance of the region to Chinese economic, political, and military strategy.
The activities of the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy are made possible by generous support from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.
Latest Work
Audio Brief: A Different Two-State Solution with Jon B. Alterman
A short, spoken-word summary from CSIS’s Jon B. Alterman on his Global Forecast contribution, “A Different Two-State Solution.”
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — February 2, 2024
Can Qatar Navigate Fraught Hostage Negotiations with Hamas?
Commentary by Christopher P. Costa — December 8, 2023
Why the Gaza Hostage Crisis Is Different
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — October 17, 2023
Free Evan, Prosecute the Hostage Takers
Commentary by Joel Simon — October 17, 2023
Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy, Explained
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — September 22, 2023
All Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy Content
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Focus on Influence, Not Power, in the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — March 25, 2021
The Smart Way out of the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 22, 2021
Enemies—and Partners—Will Get a Vote in the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — January 11, 2021
GCC Rift over Qatar Comes to an End
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 5, 2021
Enemies—and Partners—Will Get a Vote in the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — December 17, 2020
Women and Statecraft History: A Compilation of Personal Essays by Women Historians
Report by Seth Center, Fiona Hill, Sara Bush Castro, Elizabeth C. Charles, Susan Colbourn, Sarah-Jane Corke, Michelle Grisé, Marybeth Peterson Ulrich, Stephanie Young, and Emma Bates — December 1, 2020
Designating the Houthis as Terrorists Would Be a Mistake
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — November 30, 2020
Pivoting to Asia Doesn’t Get You Out of the Middle East
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 19, 2020
Actions in Anticipation of Iranian Elections
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 5, 2020
Stumbling Out of the Middle East Is No Better Than Stumbling In
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 16, 2020