North Africa Region
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 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 NESA-AFRICOM Changing Nature of Security, Capacity, and Institutions Workshop
From 11–16 June 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies conducted, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command, the “NESA-AFRICOM Changing Nature of Security, Capacity, and Institutions Workshop” in Casablanca, Morocco. Security discussions on capacity building and...
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...
Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing Seminar
From 10–14 July 2023, in Washington, D.C., the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted a seminar titled “Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing: Best Practices.” The seminar was designed to help participants...
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 (SSN)-AFRICOM-IEMed Human Security Approach for 2030 Workshop
From 10–11 January 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies/Strategic Studies Network (SSN), in partnership with U.S. Africa Command and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), conducted the 10th annual workshop entitled “NESA (SSN)-AFRICOM-IEMed Human...
NESA (SSN)-AFRICOM-IEMed Sahel Workshop
On 08 February 2022, as part of the continuing series of Strategic Studies Network (SSN) sub-regional working groups, NESA Center Professor Anne Moisan and Fahad Malaikah, in partnership with USAFRICOM and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), conducted Part I/II of a program...
NESA-AFRICOM Countering Violent Extremism: The Evolution of Radicalization and Responses Workshop
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), conducted the “NESA-AFRICOM Countering Violent Extremism: The Evolution of Radicalization and Responses Workshop” from 1–5 August 2022 in Casablanca, Morocco. In examining...
NESA-AFRICOM Transnational Threats Part II/II: A Look at Shared Illicit Activities – Illegal Mining, Cultural Smuggling, and Wildlife Crime Online Roundtable
On 4 October 2023, NESA Center Professor Anne Moisan and Academic Specialist Fahad Malaikah conducted the “Transnational Threats: A Look at Shared Illicit Activities – Illegal Mining, Cultural Smuggling, and Wildlife Crime” online roundtable, the last in the series of in-person...
NESA-USAFRICOM “North Africa Senior Leaders Workshop”
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), conducted a “North Africa Senior Leaders Workshop” from 7–14 September 2022 in Washington, DC, ending the 2022 NESA-AFRICOM Workshop Series. The focus of the...
Security Opportunities in the MENA Region
From 21–25 August 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted an inaugural seminar focused on identifying security challenges in the MENA region and exploring potential opportunities for cooperation. The five-day seminar was titled “Security Opportunities in...
Tunisian National Defense Institute National Security Seminar
From 6–15 March 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), held its twelfth annual Tunisian National Defense Institute (NDI) National Security Seminar for 49 senior government officials from 18 Tunisian agencies....
Tunisian National Defense Institute Security Seminar (Phase I of II)
In partnership with U.S. Africa Command, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies conducted Phase I/II of the Tunisian National Defense Institute (NDI) Security Seminar in Tunis, Tunisia, on 9 January 2024. Professor Anne Moisan covered a Strategic Policy...
January–February 2024 NESA Center Update
Read our latest report that highlights recent NESA Region cyber 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 Center Reports...
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...
Africa Organised Crime Index 2023
The ENACT Africa Organised Crime Index 2023 highlights longitudinal data trends and resilience to organised crime across the continent. The ENACT Index is a tool that measures and assesses levels of organised crime on the continent. It ranks the 54 countries on the continent according to their...
Alumni Publication: "6+6 Commission is almost dead; 5 scenarios, including war, for Libya" by Dr. Mustafa Fetouri
On 22 June, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) published NESA Center alum Dr. Mustafa Fetouri's Op-Ed "6+6 Commission is almost dead; 5 scenarios, including war, for Libya." "In his briefing to the UN Security Council he [United Nations envoy Abdoulaye Bathily] appeared to, quietly, announce...
Alumni Publication: "Algeria-Turkey: Consolidating the Strategic Partnership" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 26 December 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published alum Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's latest Op-Ed titled "Algeria-Turkey: Consolidating the Strategic Partnership." "The Algerian-Turkish bilateral relationship undoubtedly falls within the framework of the reshaping of the...
Alumni Publication: "Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa" by Moha Ennaji
On 4 October 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published NESA Center alum Moha Ennaji's Op-Ed "Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Africa." "In his address at the climate change summit in Nairobi, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated that...
Alumni Publication: "Does Libya have the ability to hold accountable those responsible for the Derna disaster?" by Mustafa Fetouri
On 28 September 2023, Middle East Monitor published NESA Center alum Mustafa Fetouri's Op-Ed "Does Libya have the ability to hold accountable those responsible for the Derna disaster?" "Compared to previous investigations, the PG [Libya’s Prosecutor General (PG), Al-Siddiq Al-Sour...
Alumni Publication: "IAEA: Algeria Elected as a Member of the Agency’s Board of Governors for 2023–2025 (Analysis)" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 10 October 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published NESA Center alum Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's Op-Ed "IAEA: Algeria Elected as a Member of the Agency’s Board of Governors for 2023–2025 (Analysis)." "Algeria was elected by the 67th General Conference of the...
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: "Power couple: How Europe and Algeria can move beyond energy cooperation" by Zine Labidine Ghebouli
On 17 July 2023, European Council on Foreign Relations published NESA Center alum Zine Labidine Ghebouli's policy brief "Power couple: How Europe and Algeria can move beyond energy cooperation." Ghebouli explains how Europe and Algeria have an opportunity to build a broader...
Alumni Publication: "Sudan Low-Intensity Conflict and its Impact on North Africa and Sahel Region" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 30 May 2023, the NESA Center published alumnus Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's piece on the crisis in Sudan titled "Sudan Low-Intensity Conflict and its Impact on North Africa and Sahel Region." Read here About the author [[{"fid":"467631","...
Alumni Publication: "The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals in Mediterrafrica" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 21 November 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published alum Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's latest Op-Ed titled "The Geopolitics of Critical Minerals in Mediterrafrica." "In this new era of reshaping geopolitical alliances, Africa is emerging as a production region of strategic...
Alumni Publication: "The Geopolitics of Rare Earth in Mediterafric" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 20 June 2023, the NESA Center for Strategic Studies published alumnus Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's recent Op-Ed (in French) "La Geopolitique Des Terres Rares : Enjeux Et Jeux D’influence En Mediterafrique" on the geopolitics of rare earth minerals in the "Mediterafrique." Read the...
Alumni Publication: "The Politico-Military Crisis in Niger Intensifies the Risk of Blowing up the Sub-Saharan and North Africa Regions" by Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui
On 6 August 2023, the NESA Center published alumnus Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui's Op-Ed on the latest crisis in Niger and its impact on the regional scale, titled "The Politico-Military Crisis in Niger Intensifies the Risk of Blowing up the Sub-Saharan and North Africa Regions." "The new...
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...
Alumni Publication: Transforming Higher Education in Africa by Moha Ennaji
NESA Center alumnus Moha Ennaji recently published an Op-Ed in Project Syndicate titled "Transforming Higher Education in Africa." "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly devastating effect on African universities, revealing vast inequalities and a lack of technological capacity. Fixing...
Can Singapore unlock Africa’s green hydrogen potential?
On 15 September 2023, The Centre for African Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University published NESA Center regular speaker Professor Michaël Tanchum's article "Can Singapore unlock Africa’s green hydrogen potential?" "Africa has a potential to produce $1.06...
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 Strategy Paper: "The Red Sea – Neglected Nexus"
Overview: The strategic importance of the Red Sea basin, together with the Suez Canal, is obvious. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe that the Red Sea region is a neglected nexus by the US, but not by others such as China, Russia and Iran. This neglect is primarily because it is a...
Faculty Publication: "Egypt and Iran: Prospects for Rapprochement" by Gawdat Bahgat
On 12 June 2023, Gulf International Forum published NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat's article "Egypt and Iran: Prospects for Rapprochement." Dr. Bahgat argues, "Though similar in many ways, Egypt and Iran have long found themselves in political opposition to one another — now they...
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...