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Alex Saltout is a political scientist, geopolitical analyst, and author pursuing doctoral research in Political Science. His work focuses on geopolitical competition, European governance, Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean security, strategic deterrence, and the intersection of technology and international security. With more than a decade of experience in political consulting, strategic intelligence, international affairs, and policy research, he has published in academic journals and strategic studies outlets and authored several books. He has also held advisory and leadership roles supporting research and policy-related engagements across the Middle East and wider MENA region.
Geopolitical influence over trade increasingly rests on controlling the systems that make them work. The Middle East illustrates the stakes. US ports, cable corridors, cloud facilities, artificial intelligence (AI) investments, and maritime routes connect regional economies to global commerce while exposing them to external decisions and disruptions. For the United States, the challenge is to translate technological advantage into resilient networks rather than rely on centrality that can itself become a source of vulnerability and coercion.
