Jon B. Alterman

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
Jon Alterman

Jon B. Alterman holds the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS in 2002, he served on the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State and as special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. From 2009 to 2019, he served as a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. In addition to his policy work, he is also a non-resident fellow at the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology and has frequently taught at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the George Washington University, and other local universities. Earlier in his career, he was a scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace and at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as well as a legislative aide to Senator Daniel P. Moynihan (D-NY), responsible for foreign policy and defense. From 1993 to 1997, he was an award-winning teacher at Harvard University, where he received his PhD in history. Alterman has lectured in more than 35 countries on 5continents on subjects related to the Middle East and global strategy and led the CSIS Middle East program for over 20 years. He is the author or coauthor of four books and editor of five more. In addition to academic work, he consults for business and government and is a frequent commentator in print, on radio, and on television. His opinion pieces have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and other major publications. He is a former international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he is now a life member. He received his AB from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.

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The United States Cannot Go It Alone in Venezuela

Decisive U.S. action in Venezuela has showcased U.S. power but risks provoking long-term resistance from adversaries, hedging by partners, and anxiety among allies. Without coalition-building and post-crisis leadership, short-term success could erode U.S. influence.

Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — January 5, 2026

Audio Briefs

The United States Cannot Go It Alone in Venezuela

An audio version of “The United States Cannot Go It Alone in Venezuela,” 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 — January 5, 2026

Audio Briefs

Framing a U.S. Approach to the West Bank

Issues of the West Bank's current status are uniquely difficult because they combine ancient historical claims, modern nationalism, differing religious worldviews, and contemporary security dilemmas.

Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman — December 10, 2025

Fulcrums of Order: Rising States and the Struggle for the Future

As global power diffuses and multilateralism fractures, a set of rising states increasingly claim the mantle of the “Global South,” reshaping institutions, challenging Western dominance, and forcing the United States to rethink how it engages a rapidly changing world.

Report by Jon B. Alterman and Lily McElwee — December 2, 2025

Executive Summary – Fulcrums of Order

As rising powers reshape the global landscape, the United States must shift from defending the status quo to building pragmatic coalitions, addressing Global South grievances, and engaging hinge states with a clear understanding of their politics.

Brief by Jon B. Alterman — December 2, 2025

Responsible Reporting on Hostage Cases

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention and the National Press Club’s Press Freedom Center hosted a training for journalists on covering hostage cases, exploring best practices, coordination, and the human impact of hostage taking.

Event — October 14, 2025

Inaugural Manila Strategy Forum

The Southeast Asia Program is pleased to present the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum, bringing together leading experts from the Philippines and the United States to discuss some of our most pressing regional and global challenges.

Event — September 9, 2025

Audio Briefs

Experts React: Starvation in Gaza

An audio version of “⁠Experts React: Starvation in Gaza⁠,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein — July 30, 2025

Audio Briefs

Experts React: Starvation in Gaza

CSIS experts react to Gaza’s descent into mass starvation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, international and domestic pressure on Israel, and more.

Commentary by Mona Yacoubian, Will Todman, Jon B. Alterman, Caitlin Welsh, Zane Swanson, Michaela Simoneau, Sophia Hirshfield, Hadeil Ali, Andrew Friedman, J. Stephen Morrison, and Leonard Rubenstein — July 28, 2025