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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...
International Military Officers’ Forum 2023
From 23–27 January 2023, the NESA Center hosted foreign military officers assigned to U.S. Central Command in Tampa and embassy officials in Washington D.C. for an International Military Officers’ Forum (IMOF) titled “The Biden Administration and Global Security.” NESA Center...
Israel National Defense College and NESA Center Roundtable
On 16 June 2025, NESA Center Associate Professor Dr. Michael Sharnoff led a discussion about Israel’s multifront war against Hamas and Iran and fielded questions about U.S. government policy with 50 students and faculty from the Israel National Defense College (INDC) in Washington, D.C....
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...
Washington Seminar – February 2024
On 14 February 2024, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies held a Washington Seminar Discussion at the Army-Navy Club in Washington, D.C. NESA Center Associate Professor Dr. Michael Sharnoff moderated a conversation between Hanin Ghaddar and David Makovsky,...
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: "U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Unraveling Complexities, Forging a Shared Future" by Syeda Tahreem Bukhari and Abdul Basit
On 29 December 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published the Op-Ed, "U.S.-Pakistan Relations: Unraveling Complexities, Forging a Shared Future," authored by alumni Syeda Tahreem Bukhari and Abdul Basit. "While Pakistan may not hold the status of an equal partner to the...
Alumni Publication: Women and entrepreneurship by Eman Ragab
On 14 March 2023, Ahram Online published NESA Center alumna Eman Ragab's opinion piece titled "Women in entrepreneurship." "Policymakers who want to empower women in the Arab region need to look more closely at the access enjoyed by women entrepreneurs to digital and other...
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: The President’s Proposed Alternative for Gaza
Subject: “The President’s Proposed Alternative for Gaza” Purpose: This paper presents an initial analysis of possible implications for USCENTCOM given President Trump’s recent statement about taking over Gaza. Read the full paper. View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic Analysis Group...
CSAG Information Paper: “Reawakening Threats: The Reemergence of Islamic State Amid Global Distractions”
Subject: "Reawakening Threats: The Reemergence of Islamic State Amid Global Distractions." Purpose: This paper examines the reemergence of Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East. IS continues its recruiting efforts, resulting in a steady trend of malign activities in the region, while the...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "Panacea for Gaza"
Overview: The quest for stability in Gaza has long been a focal point of international attention, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the broader Palestinian issue. However, the traditional approach to addressing this complex challenge may be overly narrow in scope. It...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "The Hamas – Israel Conflict: Forming A Potential 'New Normal'”
Overview: The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October has affected not only the political and security dynamics in the ME region but also the world at large. This attack being executed simultaneously in multiple domains i.e. air, land, and sea, culminating with ‘mass hostage captivity,’ can be...
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: Afghanistan: Three Years Down the Road and Resurgence of Terrorism
Introduction: Three years into Taliban rule, the question of whether Afghanistan once again becomes a haven for international terrorism is fast becoming a reality. The possibility of terrorism operating again in, and from, Afghanistan, threatening the security of the U.S. and its allies and...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Ceasefire Part 1 – Understanding Threat Perception
Introduction: Despite many months of pressure from the international community regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, the level of hostilities and distrust remains high. It is therefore pertinent to keep in mind both the strategic objectives of sustainable governance solutions for the Palestinian...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Ceasefire Part 2 – Regional Escalation
Introduction: Since the U.S., together with Egypt and Qatar, started pushing for a ceasefire deal in May 2024, there have been times when a comprehensive ceasefire deal appeared close. However, as the situation in the region has evolved, it is becoming clear that objective is likely far off....
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: 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...
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...