Israel
CSAG Strategy Paper: Ceasefire Part 3 – Where is the Exit?
Introduction: The war in Gaza is well into its second year, without significant progress toward a resolution, despite substantial efforts from mediators and the international community. Negotiations intensified toward the end of 2024, and on January 19, 2025, an initial phase of a ceasefire was...
CSAG Strategy Paper: From Impasse to Progress: A Reasonable Solution that Tackles Obstacles and Opportunities to Gaza Stability
Introduction: The Hamas-Israel conflict, is deeply rooted in historical grievances, competing national aspirations, and regional power dynamics. At its core is the “Palestinian question” – the unresolved issue of Palestinian statehood, self-determination, and the rights of Palestinians living...
CSAG Strategy Paper: High Stakes on High Ground: The Golan Heights, a Zero-sum Game for Regional Dominance
Introduction: The Golan Heights, a hilly 460 square mile (1,200 square kilometer) strategically vital plateau, was seized by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Despite Syria’s attempt to reclaim the territory in the 1973 conflict, Israel maintained control and unilaterally annexed it...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Snapback, Standoff, Strike: Iran’s Converging Timelines
Introduction: The February 2025 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report reveals that Iran has intensified its nuclear program, openly violated prior agreements, and severely restricted IAEA monitoring. The IAEA notes that, “the significantly increased production and accumulation of high...
CSAG Strategy Paper: The Militia that Became a Power Player: The Houthis’ Shocking Rise
Introduction: Despite nearly a decade of war in Yemen, the world has largely ignored the Houthis, with the conflict often labeled as “the forgotten war.” However, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthis have propelled themselves onto the global stage. Seizing the...
CSAG Strategy Paper: “Iran’s Shadow Army: The PMF’s Growing Influence in Iraq”
Introduction: The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is an Iraqi state security service that Iran has infiltrated and uses to exert significant influence in Iraq. Iran’s influence on the PMF enables Tehran to pursue its objectives in Iraq while obfuscating its actual involvement in Iraqi internal...
Faculty Publication: "Arab Challenges to Jordan’s Custodianship of Holy Sites in Jerusalem" by Dr. Michael Sharnoff
The Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies published NESA Center Associate Professor Dr. Michael Sharnoff's latest article, "Arab Challenges to Jordan’s Custodianship of Holy Sites in Jerusalem," in its Spring 2024 issue. Abstract: This article will demonstrate how Arab challenges...
Faculty Publication: "Jordanian stamps of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem: 1967-1989" by Michael Sharnoff
On 24 August 2023, the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies published NESA Center Associate Professor Michael Sharnoff's research article "Jordanian stamps of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem: 1967-1989." ABSTRACT: Jordanian postage stamp depictions of the Islamic holy sites in...
Faculty Publication: "The GCC States Must Turn Down the Temperature in the Middle East" by Dr. Gawdat Bahgat
On 9 December 2024, Gulf International Forum published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's latest article, "The GCC States Must Turn Down the Temperature in the Middle East." "The GCC’s strategic diplomacy can reshape Middle East dynamics, balancing regional power and...
Faculty Publication: "The United States and the War in Gaza" by Dr. Gawdat Bahgat
On 28 December 2023, Araa Magazine published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's paper, "The United States and the War in Gaza," for its January 2024 issue. It examines the United States' short and long-term goals and efforts to end the war and build a consensus on a two-state solution...
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...
NESA Center Update: February–March 2023
The NESA Center February–March 2023 Update focuses on Near East South Asia Region cyber trends. The update also highlights February through March 2023 NESA Center programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar with upcoming events....
NESA Center Update: July – October 2023
The NESA Center July – October 2023 Update focuses on Levant region trends. The update also highlights July through October NESA Center programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar with upcoming events. Regional Trends – The...
NESA Center Update: July-August 2022
The NESA Center Update: July-August 2022 is focused on Near East South Asia Region Trends regarding the Gulf. The update also highlights July through August 2022 NESA Center programs & events, faculty & staff engagements, alumni contributions, and upcoming events. July-August...
NESA Center Update: May 2025
The May 2025 NESA Center Update focuses on cybersecurity regional trends. The update also highlights January through March 2025 NESA Center programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar. NESA Region Trends: Cybersecurity...
NESA Center Update: May – June 2023
The NESA Center May – June 2023 Update focuses on Gulf region trends. The update also highlights May through June NESA Center programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar with upcoming events. Regional Trends – The Gulf...