Saudi Arabia
SAUDI ARABIA
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 Eastern Mediterranean Security Roundtable
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with SETA, a prominent Turkish think tank, held a roundtable discussion in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 15–17 July 2024. The event brought together ten ambassadors and scholars from think tanks from Morocco, Egypt...
Community Oriented Policing & Countering Violent Extremism
From 14-18 November 2021, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted a hybrid seminar organized in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior titled “Community Oriented Policing and Countering Violent Extremism” in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The workshop was designed to help...
Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in Southwest Asia and the Gulf Seminar
From 28 August – 01 September 2022, the NESA Center conducted a seminar titled “Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in Southwest Asia and the Gulf.” The four-day hybrid workshop was held in Muscat, Oman. This seminar was designed to help participants assess, analyze and identify...
Inaugural International Humanitarian Law / Law of Armed Conflict Course for Saudi Arabia Armed Forces Command and Staff College
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NESA Center Briefing at ARCENT Commander’s Conference
On 20 April 2023, the United States Army Central Command (ARCENT) conducted a Commander’s Conference at Shaw Airforce Base in South Carolina for all subordinate components and headquarters leadership focused on Security Cooperation. ARCENT invited the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for...
NESA Center Engagement with the GD Center for Strategic Defense and Research Studies
On Wednesday, 4 September 2024, three Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officials from the GD Center for Strategic Research and Defense Studies, including the Director, COL (Ret.) Ahmed Alibrahim, met with representatives from the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies in Washington...
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 Supports Establishing SANDU
08 February 2022 – For the first time since the ‘pandemic public health and travel restrictions’ began, the Strategic Implementation Office (SIO) met in person to review the Target Operating Model (TOM) submission, which they prepared for the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The SIO is...
PMR Design for the Saudi Arabian National Defense University
On 30 September 2021, NESA Professors Dr. Michael Bell and Charles Marks delivered the preliminary design to transform the Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College into the Saudi Arabian National Defense University. The NESA team presented the details of the design to our partners at...
Raytheon Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Executive Leadership Program
On 17-29 October 2021, The Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) held a Raytheon Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Executive Leadership Program in Washington DC and Boston, Massachusetts. Major General Abdullah al Qahtani (head of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces...
Royal Jordanian National Defense College: Perspectives on Strategic Leadership Seminar
From 25–27 July 2022, the NESA Center conducted a Perspectives on Strategic Leadership seminar with students and faculty of the Royal Jordanian National Defense College (RJNDC) in Amman, Jordan. The seminar marked the start of the academic year for the 120 students attending the year-long...
Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Executive Leadership Program
From 23 September until 7 October 2022 the NESA Center, in partnership with Raytheon, conducted the eighteenth iteration of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF) Executive Leadership Program. As in other programs, this course brings senior military officers (all on this specific...
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...
SANDU Military Strategy Course
From 28 January–2 February 2024, Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies Professors Mark Bibbey and David Des Roches, supported by Matthew Holbert, NESA Center Program Manager, and Thomas Wagstaff, Academic Advisor, delivered the one-week Saudi War Course Strategy Module,...
SANDU War College Joint Professional Military Education Seminar
From 17–20 May 2022, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies in coordination with the Saudi Arabian National Defense University (SANDU) conducted a War College Joint Professional Military Education Seminar titled “Partnering with Coalition Forces, Agencies, and Non...
Saudi Arabia National Defense University Executive Seminar
On March 14–25, 2022, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, led by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Terry Wolff, NESA Director, hosted the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC). LTG (Ret.) Wolff welcomed Major General Mohammed J....
Saudi Arabia National Guard Command and Staff College Program
From 18 to 24 April 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held sessions supporting the students of the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) Command and Staff College. Commencing at the NESA Center at the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C., the...
Saudi Arabia National Guard Program
A delegation of seven senior officers from the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) met at the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies and National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, D.C. on 20 May 2024 to discuss educational techniques and the structure of U.S....
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Alumni Publication: "After the Saudi-Iranian agreement" by Eman Ragab
On 28 March 2023, Ahram Online published NESA Center alumna Eman Ragab's article titled "After the Saudi-Iranian agreement." "The recent Saudi-Iranian agreement normalising relations between the two countries will bolster Saudi Arabia’s regional role and could lead to other...
Alumni Publication: "Les enjeux stratégiques issus de la COP 28" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 16 December 2023, L'Expression published NESA Center alum Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's article, "Les enjeux stratégiques issus de la COP 28" (in French). "Tous s’accordent sur une réduction progressive à un horizon au-delà de 2040, sauf en ce qui concerne le gaz naturel qui est pour...
Alumni Publication: "The implications of the regional race for talent" by Nasser Bin Nasser
On 23 March 2023, Jordan News published NESA Center alumnus Nasser Bin Nasser's opinion piece titled "The implications of the regional race for talent." Read the article here [[{"fid":"465815","view_mode":"original_version","fields":{"format":"...
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: "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: "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: Xi Jinping's Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Subject: Xi Jinping’s Visit to the KSA (for China-Saudi Summit, China-GCC Summit and China-Arab States Summit) Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding Chinese Leader Xi Jinping’s visit to the KSA and its implications for US/CENTCOM. Read the full paper here...
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: "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: The Role of Regional Powers in the Contemporary Complex Geo-Political Environment
Overview: Since the late 20th century, the term ‘regional power’ in international relations has been used for a sovereign state that exercises significant power within a given geographical region. There is a broad consensus that a necessary condition for regional ‘power hood’ is that these...
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...
CSIS Report: The Middle East’s View of the "China Model"
In September 2024, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published a report of the CSIS Middle East Program, titled The Middle East’s View of the "China Model". U.S.-Chinese competition in the Middle East has been exacerbated by China’s increasing engagement in the...
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...
J5 Academic Paper: “NEOM City: Integrated Campaigning and Competition with China”
Abstract: NEOM City is a planned futuristic metroplex that serves as a $500 billion cornerstone of the Vision 2030 strategic framework that reduces Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and diversifies its economy. Currently, USCENTCOM does not have a plan to capitalize on what will become a regional...
Middle East agrifood production is rising high: The vertical farming revolution in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
On 22 March 2024, New AG International published NESA Center regular speaker Professor Michaël Tanchum's article, "Middle East agrifood production is rising high: The vertical farming revolution in the UAE and Saudi Arabia," in the March/April 2024 edition of its quarterly magazine. "The...
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...