Central Asia Region
2023 Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar
From 22–26 May 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted an informative Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar focused on the theme “Strategic Competition in Central and South Asia.” The seminar brought together the next generation of young military officers, diplomats, and...
2024 Air War College International Officer Seminar
On 6 June 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted 49 international fellows and faculty from the Air War College. The students were briefed at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. by NESA Center Associate Professor Dr. Michael Sharnoff on the Security...
2024 Indian Ocean Region Workshop
From 24–26 June 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in cooperation with the National Maritime Foundation of India and its sister regional center, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), conducted a 2024 Indian Ocean...
2024 Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar
From 13–17 May 2024, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted an informative Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar focused on the theme, "Security Implications of Climate Change." The seminar, held at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., brought together the next generation of young...
Air War College Seminar – Washington Program
On 23 June 2022, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted 52 international fellows and faculty from the Air War College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC. The students were briefed by NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat and NESA Center Academic Dean Dr....
Connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Beyond
From 9–12 July 2023, the NESA Center hosted the 10th annual Strategic Studies Network (SSN) Central Asia Working Group meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan. The NESA Center partnered with the Caspian Policy Center (CPC) and the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA) to manage...
Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing Seminar
From 10–14 July 2023, in Washington, D.C., the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted a seminar titled “Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing: Best Practices.” The seminar was designed to help participants...
NESA Center and Azerbaijan National Defense University Engagement
On 15 July 2023, a Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies delegation composed of Professor Richard E. Wiersema and Associate Dean Charles B. Marks met with Major General Arif Hasanov, who is the Deputy Director of the National Defense University for Science and...
Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar: Emerging Regional Challenges
From 15–18 August 2022, the NESA Center hosted an informative Silk Road Future Leaders Seminar focused on the theme “Emerging Regional Challenges.” The virtual seminar brought together the next generation of young military officers, diplomats, and academics from South and Central Asia...
The 8th Great Power Competition Conference: “The Future and Ethics of Uncrewed and Autonomous Warfare”
From 27–28 September 2023, the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI) at the University of South Florida (USF), in collaboration with the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, held the 8th Great Power Competition (GPC8) Conference titled “...
2023 Legatum Prosperity Index
On 27 February 2023, the Legatum Institute published the 16th edition of the Legatum Prosperity Index. The Legatum Prosperity Index is a tool for transformation, offering a unique insight into how prosperity is forming and evolving across the world. Leaders around the world can use it to help set...
Alumni Publication: "2024: What to Expect in Afghanistan" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D'Souza recently authored a piece on what to expect in Afghanistan in 2024, which was published in The Diplomat magazine's 110th issue cover story, "2024: What to Expect in the Asia-Pacific," on 1 January 2024. The January 2024 issue identifies major...
Alumni Publication: "After Attack in Russia, Focus Turns to ISKP in Afghanistan and Central Asia" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 28 March 2024, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D'Souza's article, "After Attack in Russia, Focus Turns to ISKP in Afghanistan and Central Asia." "The focus on and understanding of ISKP’s core area in Afghanistan and Pakistan needs to be expanded...
Alumni Publication: "ANALYSIS: India’s Central Asia Outreach: Countering China’s Expanding Footprint" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza and Bibhu Prasad Routray
On 30 October 2023, Mantraya published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D’Souza's analysis "India’s Central Asia Outreach: Countering China’s Expanding Footprint," which she co-authored with Bibhu Prasad Routray. ABSTRACT: For the past couple of years, India has used several...
Alumni Publication: "Tajikistan and the Taliban: A Lone Voice in Central Asia" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 11 December 2023, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D'Souza's article "Tajikistan and the Taliban: A Lone Voice in Central Asia." "Tajikistan is the strongest critic of the Taliban in Central Asia and continues to host dialogues featuring a diversity of...
Alumni Publication: "The Cost of Uzbekistan’s ‘Pragmatic’ Taliban Policy" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
On 22 July 2023, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D’Souza's Op-Ed "The Cost of Uzbekistan’s ‘Pragmatic’ Taliban Policy." "Tashkent’s approach to the Taliban has shifted over the years, with the latest swing moving it toward more direct engagement," writes D’...
Alumni Publication: "The Stakes of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Strategic Alliances Mapping" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 26 May 2023, the NESA Center published alumnus Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's piece on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict titled "The Stakes of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Strategic Alliances Mapping." Read here About the author [[{"fid":"...
CSAG Information Paper: "China’s Approach to the Red Sea States"
Subject: China’s Approach to the Red Sea States. Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the CSAG’s analysis of China’s Approach to the Red Sea States, including the “5-No Approach” to the African countries. Read the full paper here View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic...
CSAG Information Paper: "Iran-KSA Peace Talks and its Implications for South Asia"
Subject: Iran-KSA peace talks and its implications for South Asia. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present the analysis of CSAG on consequences of the Iran-KSA peace talks for South Asia in order to draw pertinent conclusions for US CENTCOM. Read the full paper here View other...
CSAG Information Paper: Hezbollah – IRGC’s Main Coordinating Tool in Middle East
Subject: Hezbollah – IRGC’s main coordinating tool in the Middle East. Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the CSAG’s analysis of Hezbollah as the main coordinator for Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actions in the ME. It highlights Hezbollah’s regional activities,...
CSAG Information Paper: The Israel-Hamas Conflict and its Impact on Central Asia Countries
Subject: The Israel-Hamas conflict and its impact on Central Asia countries. Purpose: This paper presents the CSAG’s analysis regarding the perceptions, consequences, and effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza on the Central Asian countries (CA). Read the full paper. View other...
CSAG Information Paper: Threat Potential of ISIS in the CENTCOM AOR
Subject: Analysis of the threat potential of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the CENTCOM AOR. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present the CSAG’s analysis of the ‘threat from ISIS’ within CENTCOM AOR to formulate pragmatic recommendations for decision-making. Read...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "CENTCOM Smart Power in the Middle East"
Overview: This year USCENTCOM celebrates the 40th anniversary of its establishment; one of its significant tasks is to achieve and enhance security and stability within its area of responsibility (AOR). USCENTCOM AOR includes 21 countries. The Middle East (ME) region is one of the most...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "Sanctions on Russia and Economic Impact for Central Asia"
Overview: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a geopolitical challenge to the world order. The Russian attack violated not only Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, but also the rules-based international order and created a global economic, political and security crisis. Central Asian...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "The Red Sea – Neglected Nexus"
Overview: The strategic importance of the Red Sea basin, together with the Suez Canal, is obvious. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe that the Red Sea region is a neglected nexus by the US, but not by others such as China, Russia and Iran. This neglect is primarily because it is a...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "The Russian War's Impact on Global Order"
Overview: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has challenged established international norms and principles. The annexation of Crimea and subsequent full invasion of Ukraine violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are fundamental principles of international law. The conflict...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Central Asia – Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Stability
Overview: Central Asia stands at a critical juncture, subject to influence by various global powers and regional actors. The strategic landscape is characterized by a delicate balance of interests, including those of the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union. The region’s...
CSAG Strategy Paper: The Prospect of Cooperation and Integration among Central Asian States
Overview: In recent years, regional cooperation has been promoted in Central Asia, and the trend of regionalization and regionalism is emerging. Regionalization can be described as a spontaneous bottom-up process. In contrast, regionalism is defined as the political will (hence ‘ism’ is attached...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Türkiye's Role in the USCENTCOM AOR
Overview: Türkiye has quite a unique position in many perspectives e.g., geographically, geopolitically and geoeconomically. It lies at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia (and Africa) with ties to all of them; it has a land connection to the CENTCOM AOR, and it controls...
Middle East Institute Special Briefing: A turbulent year for MENA in 2023: Economic stresses, political instability, and the need for decisive leadership
Scholars from across Middle East Institute (MEI) weigh in on the outlook for 2023, covering key events, issues, and trends to watch in the Middle East and North Africa this year. Read the briefing on the MEI website Read the briefing as a PDF The views presented in this article...