From 22 July – 2 August 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies conducted an Executive Seminar focused on how the maritime domain and new technologies are shaping the security environment of the Indo-Pacific. The seminar’s proceedings included conversations on autonomous/unmanned systems, the maritime challenges associated with asymmetry, transnational criminality, power projection and competition within the maritime domain, and maritime domain awareness, among others.

Executive Seminar speakers during the second week starting from the top left: Dr. Scott Edwards, Free and Open Indo-Pacific Fellow, Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies; Dr. Stephen R. Nagy, Professor of Politics, and International Studies International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan; Emma Hoareau, Legal Advisor, Auxilium Worldwide; Dr. Assis Malaquias, Dean, Africa Center for Strategic Studies; Sam Gontier, Director, Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC); Schuyler Moore, Chief Technology Officer, United States Central Command; Bryan Wilson, International Outreach, Defense Innovation Unit, United States Department of Defense; Dr. Cdr. Arnab Das, Founder, Maritime Research Center; CAPT Alastair Cooper, Director, Sea Power Centre of Australia; Dr. Sameer Lalwani, Senior Expert, South Asia, United States Institute of Peace; Admiral (ret). James G. Foggo, former Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Dean, Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States; Anne Moisan, Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; Richard Wiersema, Associate Dean, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; Dr. Roger Kangas, Academic Dean, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; and Ambassador (ret.) James Desrocher, Director, NESA Center for Strategic Studies.

The seminar featured a diverse group of speakers ranging from leading experts at U.S.-based think tanks, international research institutions, foreign government offices, and U.S. government presentations from the National Security Council, the United States Coast Guard, United States Central Command, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Defense Innovation Unit, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, and the National Defense University. Admiral (ret). James G. Foggo, a distinguished leader and former Commander of United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, now serving as Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States, delivered an impactful keynote presentation. Participants hailed from thirty-one countries and represented partner/ally navies, coast guards, defense ministries, and diplomatic corps. NESA Center Jeffrey Payne led the seminar with facilitation provided by Dr. Michael Sharnoff. The event was conducted digitally to assist in casting the widest possible net for participation among partner and ally nations.

Read the final report providing a summary, highlighting key themes, findings, agenda, and recommendations. [English] [Arabic] [Russian]

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