Gulf Region
2023 Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf Seminar
From 22– 25 May 2023, the NESA Center conducted a seminar titled “Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf.” The four-day seminar was held in Muscat, Oman. It was designed to help participants assess, analyze, and identify opportunities to effectively counter...
2023 Eastern Mediterranean Security Roundtable
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM), a leading Turkish think-tank, held a roundtable discussion in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 17–19 July 2023. Scholars from Bahrain, Egypt, Israel,...
2023 NESA-IISS South Asia Security Forum
From 10–12 March 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies and its partner, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), co-hosted the 7th annual South Asia Security Forum in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The NESA Center team Distinguished Professor Hassan...
2023 Royal Jordanian National Defense College Strategic Leadership Seminar
From 21–30 August 2023, the NESA Center conducted the “Perspectives on Strategic Leadership Seminar” with students and faculty of the Royal Jordanian National Defense College (RJNDC) in Amman, Jordan. Seminar content and instruction was led by NESA Center Associate Dean Charles Marks and...
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...
Cyber Security Seminar: Sharing Experiences
The NESA Center executed its first cyber security seminar from 12–15 June 2023 in Washington, D.C., titled “Cyber Security: Sharing Experiences.” Twelve countries from the MENA region were represented. Senior U.S. officials and think-tank representatives addressed the seminar. All...
Defense Security Cooperation University Military Officer NESA Center Orientation
On Thursday, 27 July 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies welcomed three U.S. military officers who attended the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) seven-week training and education program, which includes the Fundamentals and Application of...
Gulf Security Roundtable Discussion
From 25–26 April 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held a Gulf security roundtable discussion in partnership with the Qatari Armed Forces Center for Strategic Studies and Chatham House in London. NESA Center Deputy Director COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.) and...
Negev Forum Regional Security Working Group: “Opportunities for Enhancing Collective Security in the Middle East and North Africa”
On June 5–8, 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in support of the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Department of State, hosted the first-ever Negev Forum Regional Security Working Group (RSWG) regional security seminar in Washington, DC...
NESA Center Seminar Builds Iraqi Senior Leadership Capabilities
From 7–18 August 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a delegation of 32 senior Iraqi military officers and government officials for a two-week Iraqi General Officer Capstone Seminar in Washington, D.C. The Seminar, modeled on the U.S. Capstone...
NESA-IISS Southern Asia Security Conference in Oman
In partnership with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the NESA Center for Strategic Studies held the 16th annual NESA–IISS Southern Asia Security Conference in Oman from 13–15 October 2023. NESA Center Dean Dr. Roger Kangas and Professors Dr. Hassan Abbas and John...
Omani Chief of Staff Sultan Armed Forces Program
On 21 September 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies conducted a one-day program in Washington, D.C., with eight military officers from the Omani Chief of Staff Sultan Armed Forces. The day began with introductions and a welcome from NESA Center Acting Director COL...
SANDU Faculty Development and Transformation Support Workshop
From 2–11 October 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies delivered a seven-day faculty development and transformation support workshop to the Saudi Arabian National Defense University (SANDU) War Wing. The workshop was held at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. The War...
Washington Seminar – August 2023
On 2 August 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies held a Washington Seminar discussion in Washington, D.C. The seminar presented a conversation between Associate Professor Daniel Curfiss and Dr. Hassan Abbas. The afternoon ended with a question-and-answer session with 17 attendees...
West Point Model Arab League Saudi Orientation Program
On 30 March 2023, the NESA Center hosted a West Point United States Military Academy (USMA) Model Arab League (MAL) team at National Defense University in Washington, DC. The group received briefings on Saudi history, including the development of the Saudi State and the Saudi Arabia oil...
January–February 2024 NESA Center Update
Read our latest report that highlights recent NESA Region cyber trends, programs & events, faculty & staff engagements, alumni contributions, and upcoming events. Click the link below to view the report. Read the Latest Report [PDF] Read other NESA Center Reports...
Alumni Publication: "Getting Real About the 'Global Coast Guard'” by Commander Kevin Duffy
The U.S. Naval Institute published NESA Center alum Kevin Duffy’s latest Op-Ed “Getting Real About the ‘Global Coast Guard'” in the October issue of Proceedings. "During the 2023 State of the Coast Guard address, the service’s Commandant, Admiral Linda Fagan, noted the United States Coast Guard...
Alumni Publication: “More Than Just a Boundary Dispute: The Regional Geopolitics of Saudi-Yemeni Relations” by Fadhl Al-Maghafi
NESA Center alum Fadhl Al-Maghafi authored a thesis titled “More Than Just a Boundary Dispute: The Regional Geopolitics of Saudi-Yemeni Relations” for the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. Abstract: This thesis questions whether the territorial...
CSAG Information Paper: "Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon)"
Subject: Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon) Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding how the Captagon drug industry in Syria affects the region and what the US/CENTCOM could do to consolidate its...
CSAG Information Paper: "Chinese-brokered Iran-KSA Détente, 'A Game-Changer or a Mirage?'”
Subject: Chinese-brokered Iran-KSA Détente, “A Game-Changer or a Mirage?” Purpose: To present CSAG’s analysis of the recent rapprochement between Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) brokered by China. Introduction: The recent diplomatic agreement between Iran and KSA in March 2023 is...
CSAG Information Paper: "Deir ez-Zor: Critical Juncture in the Process Towards Syria’s Normalization"
Subject: Deir ez-Zor: Critical Juncture in the Process Towards Syria’s Normalization Purpose: To present CSAG’s analysis of the strategic significance of Deir ez-Zor in shaping the future of Syria. It reveals the growing interest of various actors operating in the region and their efforts...
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: "Pirates of the Middle East Gulfs"
Subject: Pirates of the Middle East Gulfs Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding how Iran is using a calculated provocative approach, to enhance their bargaining power by creating leverage during negotiations, to achieve what is in Iran’s best interest. Read the...
CSAG Information Paper: "The Quran Desecration and its Implications – Perspectives of Partners"
Subject: The Quran Desecration and its Implications – Perspectives of Partners Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding the current incidents of Quran burning, why it matters, possible reasons, its implications, and the perspective of partners. Read the full...
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: "Yemen After the KSA-Iran Agreement: From Dreams to Harsh Reality and How This Fed Houthi Behavior in the Current Crisis"
Overview: In 2014, Houthi rebels overtook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, in a push for increased military and political power, starting Yemen’s long-lasting civil war. The chaos created by the Houthi insurgents jeopardized the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) ambition for stability in the region,...
CSAG Strategy Paper: “The Hardest 'Soft' Approach on the Yemeni Crisis: An Opportunity to Retake the Initiative in the Middle East”
Overview: Armed conflicts, across human history, brought unquantifiable loss of fortune, lives, and cultural diversity, effectively stalling, nullifying, or even reversing civilization progress, in countless occasions. This paper aims to clear the “fog of war” that is covering Yemen and the...
Faculty Publication: "'Positive Neutralism': Security Politics of Vision 2040 in Oman" by Dr. Gawdat Bahgat
NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat authored a chapter in the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) report, The Security Side of Gulf Visions: Adapting Defence to the Connectivity Age, published 25 March 2024. Introduction: In the Gulf Cooperation Council...
Faculty Publication: "Egypt and Iran: Prospects for Rapprochement" by Gawdat Bahgat
On 12 June 2023, Gulf International Forum published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's article "Egypt and Iran: Prospects for Rapprochement." Dr. Bahgat argues, "Though similar in many ways, Egypt and Iran have long found themselves in political opposition to one another — now they...
Faculty Publication: "Indo-Pacific reluctance and the gulf: an examination of maritime domain awareness as an influence shaping regional maritime security efforts" by Jeffrey Payne
On 08 November 2023, the Journal of the Indian Ocean Region published NESA Center Assistant Professor Jeffrey Payne's paper "Indo-Pacific reluctance and the gulf: an examination of maritime domain awareness as an influence shaping regional maritime security efforts" in its ...
Faculty Publication: "Saudi Arabia plans to encourage the localization of American weapons and the manufacture of advanced weapons on its soil" by Professor Gawdat Bahgat
On 27 September 2023, Araa Magazine published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's latest Op-Ed (in Arabic) for its October issue. The article, titled "Saudi Arabia plans to encourage the localization of American weapons and the manufacture of advanced weapons on its soil," focuses ...
Faculty Publication: "Saudi-Iran Rapprochement: A contrarian view" by David Des Roches
On 26 April 2023, Azure Strategy published NESA Center Professor David Des Roches's Op-Ed "Saudi-Iran Rapprochement: A contrarian view" on what the Beijing-brokered Saudi-Iran agreement reveals about the Middle East roles of the U.S. and China. "The resumption of Saudi-Iran diplomatic...
Faculty Publication: "Security in the Gulf: The View from Oman" by Dr. Gawdat Bahgat
On 24 February 2023, Middle East Policy Journal published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's article titled "Security in the Gulf: The View from Oman." Dr. Bahgat is a professor of national security at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. He thanks the Omani...
Faculty Publication: "Washington respects the independence of the Gulf states and ASEAN and considers their renaissance a praiseworthy matter for America and the world" by Professor Gawdat Bahgat
On 29 October 2023, Araa Magazine published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's latest Op-Ed (in Arabic) in the 191 issue of the Araa Journal. The article is titled "Washington respects the independence of the Gulf states and ASEAN and considers their renaissance a praiseworthy...
Faculty Publication: Dr. Gawdat Bahgat authors Chapter 10 in the book "The Arab Gulf States and Iran: The Roots and Manifestations of Rivalry in the Gulf Regional System"
On 6 June, the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies at the Doha Institute published the book "The Arab Gulf States and Iran: The Roots and Manifestations of Rivalry in the Gulf Regional System" (in Arabic). The book includes thirteen studies, all of which focus on the...