Middle East
2023 Air Command and Staff College Seminar
On 12 July 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted approximately 90 students and faculty from the Air Command and Staff College. The group was briefed at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. by NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat on security...
2023 Air War College International Officer Seminar
On 23 June 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted 54 international fellows and faculty from the Air War College. The students were briefed at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. by NESA Center Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas on the Security...
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 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...
2024 Air Command and Staff College Seminar
On 28 June 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted approximately 85 students and faculty from the Air Command and Staff College. The group convened at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., where they participated in a series of briefings and discussions. Dr....
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 Lebanese Armed Forces Seminar
From 15–19 April 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a seminar titled "The United States and the Middle East in 2025" at the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C. The program was designed to provide an academic setting in which officers...
2024 Security Opportunities in the MENA Region Seminar
From 19–23 August 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a five-day seminar titled "Security Opportunities in the MENA Region" and was held in Washington, D.C. The event included 19 participants from 11 countries and provided a venue for partners to...
2025 Lebanese Armed Forces Seminar
From 7–11 April 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a seminar titled “The United States, Lebanon, and Security Challenges and Opportunities” at National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C. The program was designed to provide an academic setting...
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....
Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar (CTSES): “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age"
From 11–15 September 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar (CTSES) titled “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age” held in Washington, D.C. [[{"fid":"473871","view_mode":"...
DSCU Security Cooperation Organization NESA Center Orientation and Regional Briefing
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies welcomed 18 students from the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) seven-week Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Operations Course. Academic Dean Roger Kangas, supported by Assistant...
Executive Seminar: Changing Regional Security Dynamics in the MENA Region
From 3–7 June 2024, in partnership with the Policy Center for the New South, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held an executive seminar in Rabat, Morocco. The seminar aimed to address the principal challenges facing Middle Eastern nations, exploring diverse...
Executive Seminar: Conflict Resolution, Cooperation, and Challenges in the MENA Region
From 9–13 December 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted an Executive Seminar entitled “Conflict Resolution, Cooperation, and Challenges in the MENA Region” in Washington, D.C. Led by Dr. Michael Sharnoff, the seminar focused on emerging dynamics in the...
Executive Seminar: Strategic Competition and Regional Cooperation
From 4–15 December 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the Executive Seminar (ES): “Strategic Competition and Regional Cooperation.” Throughout the two-week virtual event, the NESA Center hosted representatives from all over the world to discuss...
Middle East 2025 Workshop
From 25–26 March 2024, experts from the Qatar Armed Forces Strategic Studies Centre (QAFSSC) and the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies convened in Istanbul, Türkiye, for a series of comprehensive discussions. The discussions centered on defense, security, and the...
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 Faculty Participate in a Roundtable Discussion at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Armenia
On 20 March 2024, Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies faculty comprising of Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas, Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, Professor Richard Wiersema, and Associate Dean Charles Marks participated in a roundtable discussion at the Institute of Oriental Studies in...
NESA Center Subject Matter Expert Lecture Series at the Royal Jordanian National Defense College
From 21–23 January 2024, the NESA Center Professional Military Education (PME) Team enabled the delivery of three subject matter expert (SME) lectures to students and faculty at the Royal Jordanian National Defense College (RJNDC) outside Amman, Jordan. Over the course of three days,...
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...
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March 2025 NESA Center Update
Read our latest report that highlights recent NESA Region Central & South Asia 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...
"The Future of Security in the Middle East" featuring NESA Center Professor David Des Roches
Volume 30, Issue 2 of the Middle East Policy Journal, published on 28 May, includes a transcript of the Middle East Policy Council Symposium "The Future of Security in the Middle East," which took place on 21 April in Washington, D.C. The symposium featured NESA Center...
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: "Al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan: Information Blackhole and Strategic (Mis)communication" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
On 05 July 2023, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D’Souza's article "Al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan: Information Blackhole and Strategic (Mis)communication." "U.S. and U.N. estimates about al-Qaida’s strength and position in Afghanistan differ. Sorting...
Alumni Publication: "Ballistic Missile Proliferation in Non-Nuclear States: The Origins of Ballistic Missile Programmes in the Middle East" by Karim El-Baz
In July 2024, Routledge published a book co-authored by Karim El-Baz, a NESA Center alumnus from Egypt, and Ali Ghanbarpour-Dizboni. The book, titled "Ballistic Missile Proliferation in Non-Nuclear States: The Origins of Ballistic Missile Programmes in the Middle East," is available for pre-...
Alumni Publication: "Gender, climate and cohesion - Uncovering the linkages between climate change, human security and gender in Jordan"
NESA Center alumna Dr. Majd Al Naber co-authored the research paper "Gender, climate and cohesion - Uncovering the linkages between climate change, human security and gender in Jordan," published by the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Institute on 6 December 2023. Introduction...
Alumni Publication: "Libya’s Central Bank Crisis Reflects Its Broken System" by Tarek Megerisi
On 27 August 2024, Middle East Council on Global Affairs published NESA Center alum Tarek Megerisi's article titled "Libya’s Central Bank Crisis Reflects Its Broken System." "The North African country appears trapped in an endless cycle of dysfunction and malfeasance with no way...
Alumni Publication: "The Potential of Palestinian Gas and the Role of Regional Powers: From Promise to Action" by Antonia Dimou
On 18 September 2023, Modern Diplomacy published NESA Center alumna Antonia Dimou's latest analysis titled "The Potential of Palestinian Gas and the Role of Regional Powers: From Promise to Action." "Recent progress on the Gaza marine gas field’s development is positive news and...
Alumni Publication: "Warfare Strategies in the Twenty-First Century" by Eman Ragab
NESA Center alumna Eman Ragab's new edited book, "Warfare Strategies in the Twenty-First Century," published by the al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, is out in bookstores now and available for purchase. Book Description: In the twenty-first century, the conventional...
CIVIC-POMED Fact Sheet: "The Leahy Law 'Duty to Inform' and Human Rights Vetting for Non-Traceable Assistance"
A new fact sheet from Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), “Closing a Leahy Law Loophole: The ‘Duty to Inform’ and Human Rights Vetting for Non-Traceable Assistance,” takes stock of a new amendment to the Leahy Law that seeks to address...
Climate Change and Gender in Morocco and Jordan
Last month, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published a set of articles titled "Climate Change and Gender in Morocco and Jordan" by Aya Kamil and Adele Malle, who are junior fellows at Carnegie. In the first article, Kamil argues that despite its role as a pioneer of...
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: "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: "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: "Is CENTCOM Prescribing the ‘Suitable Medicine’ to Deter Iran?"
Subject: Is CENTCOM Prescribing the ‘Suitable Medicine’ to Deter Iran? Purpose: To present CSAG analysis of the recent deployment of additional US troops and assets in the Middle East (ME) to deter Iran, within the context of the current strategic and operational environment, and to draw...
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: 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,...