Syrian Arab Republic
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
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...
The Post-Assad Era in Syria with Brigadier General Antoine Abisamra
On 23 January 2025, Dr. Michael Sharnoff and Professor Anne Moisan hosted a virtual roundtable titled "The Post-Assad Era in Syria" with a MENA program Alumnus, Brigadier General Antoine Abisamra. His timely talk was based on his current fieldwork on the ground in Syria and his unique...
Washington Seminar “A Superpower Awakens: Managing Security in Ukraine and the Middle East in the Modern Age”
On Wednesday, 21 September 2022, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Washington Seminar Discussion in Washington, D.C. The seminar was titled “A Superpower Awakens: Managing Security in Ukraine and the Middle East in the Modern Age.” NESA Center Director...
Alumni Publication: "Foreign meddling and competing interests hinder any solution in Libya" by Mustafa Fetouri
On 27 July 2023, Middle East Monitor published NESA Center alum Mustafa Fetouri's Op-Ed "Foreign meddling and competing interests hinder any solution in Libya." "Since the country fell victim to the so called 'Arab Spring' in 2011, it became an open arena for all sorts of external...
Brookings Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors
On 27 January 2023, The Brookings Institution released part I of the Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors annual briefing book. The newly released commentary discusses some of the key trends, issues, and priority areas regarding illicit economies, organized crime, and nonstate armed actors and...
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: The Earthquake – Catalyst for Dynamic Change in Syria
Subject: The Earthquake – Catalyst for dynamic change in Syria. Purpose: This paper presents CSAG’s summary analysis of the geopolitical and military evolution of the main actors in Syria following the February 2023 earthquake. Read the full paper here View other USCENTCOM...
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 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: "A Look into the Origins of Russian Strategic Culture"
Overview: Russia’s worldview is shaped by its strategic culture. Certain periods in history have a significant meaning in forming its strategic culture. These periods have influenced how Russians think about strong leaders, why autocracy is seen as a better option over democracy, why corruption...
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...
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...
Turkey's role after the Black Sea grain deal collapse has become even more critical
On 24 July 2023, The National (UAE) published NESA Center regular speaker Professor Michaël Tanchum's Op-Ed "Turkey's role after the Black Sea grain deal collapse has become even more critical." Tanchum argues Ankara is a vital link in some of the Middle East’s most vulnerable countries'...