From 24–25 March 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held an Israel Indo-Pacific Roundtable Virtual Workshop. The workshop was a continuation of an inaugural workshop launched on 27–28 March 2024, and provided a venue for participants from Israel and across the Indo-Pacific region to discuss shared interests, identify new areas for cooperation, and strengthen their partnerships. Continue reading
From 25–27 February 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies gathered over 40 participants from more than 15 partner and allied nations in San Francisco, CA, for a forum focused on technical and technological enhancements for maritime domain awareness and underwater domain awareness. The conversations ranged from discussions of protecting critical underwater infrastructure to more rapid maritime security information sharing. Continue reading
On 12 February 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special Washington Seminar that featured Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn (USAF-Retired), 17th President of the National Defense University, as its keynote speaker. The seminar was marked by a gathering of distinguished guests, including past NESA Center Directors, esteemed faculty, dedicated staff, and members of the Washington Diplomatic community and U.S. Continue reading
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 security background serving in various capacities, from Defense Attache in the U.S. to commanding the Special Operations and Hostage Rescue Unit. Continue reading
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. Read More
From 25–27 February 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies gathered over 40 participants from more than 15 partner and allied nations in San Francisco, CA, for a forum focused on technical and technologica Read More
On 12 February 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special Washington Seminar that featured Lieutenant General Michael T. Read More
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. Read More
Subject: "Vital, Sensitive & Strategic Cooperation Pact between Russia and Iran"
Purpose: This paper presents key points and analysis of the recent signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between Russia and Iran. Read More
The March 2025 NESA Center Update focuses on regional maritime trends.
The update also highlights September through December 2024 programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar. Read More
On 16 December, NESA Center alumnus from South Africa, Professor Hussein Solomon, a political analyst and expert on conflict resolution and fundamentalism, spoke about South Afric Read More
AIs have a big problem with truth and correctness – and human thinking appears to be a big part of that problem. A new generation of AI is now starting to take a much more experimental approach that could catapult machine learning way past humans. Read More
Arab Barometer, the longest-standing and the largest repository of publicly available data on MENA citizens, recently conducted its eighth round of polling assessing attitudes toward women’s rights and gender equality. Read More
On October 09, NESA Center alumna Hala Bugaighis gave a briefing to the UN Security Council on women's issues in Libya. Read the statement here. Read More
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. Read More
When the Department of Defense recognized the need for an organization to serve and support the challenging region that extends from North Africa, across the Arabian Peninsula and into South Asia, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies was born.
