Middle East
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 NESA-IISS South Asia Security Forum
From 10–12 March 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies and its partner, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), co-hosted the 7th annual South Asia Security Forum in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The NESA Center team Distinguished Professor Hassan...
Air War College Seminar – Washington Program
On 23 June 2022, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted 52 international fellows and faculty from the Air War College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC. The students were briefed by NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat and NESA Center Academic Dean Dr....
CENTCOM Strategic Survey Seminar
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a CENTCOM Strategic Survey Seminar in Tampa, Florida, from 19–21 July 2022. The 3-day seminar was entitled “Evolving U.S. National Security in the Middle East and South Asia.” It was aimed at giving about 35 U.S Central...
Cyber Security Seminar: Sharing Experiences
The NESA Center executed its first cyber security seminar from 12–15 June 2023 in Washington, D.C., titled “Cyber Security: Sharing Experiences.” Twelve countries from the MENA region were represented. Senior U.S. officials and think-tank representatives addressed the seminar. All...
Discussion with the Director of the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies
On 30 March 2023, a group from the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, including Deputy Director COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.); Professor Dr. Jennifer Jefferis; Professor Dr. Michael Sharnoff; Executive Officer Sam Marrero; Outreach and Alumni Coordinator Christopher...
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...
Future PASS 19-18 Participants Improve English Language Skills
By Christine June Public Affairs Office George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – Eight participants from six countries are attending the English Language Enhancement Course at the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies here...
GLOBAL TRENDS: National Intelligence Council Report
Global Trends Hompage Excerpt: Welcome to the 7th edition of the National Intelligence Council’s Global Trends report. Published every four years since 1997, Global Trends assesses the key trends and uncertainties that will shape the strategic environment for the United States during...
Inaugural International Humanitarian Law / Law of Armed Conflict Course for Saudi Arabia Armed Forces Command and Staff College
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International Military Officers’ Forum
From 1-5 November 2021, the NESA Center hosted foreign military officers assigned to U.S. Central Command in Tampa in Washington D.C. for an International Military Officers’ Forum titled “World Power Competition and Middle East Turmoil.” NESA Center experts, including Professor Dr. Richard...
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...
Lebanon Fouad Shehab Command & Staff College Program
The NESA Center hosted the Lebanese Armed Forces for a Lebanon Fouad Shehab Command & Staff College Program titled “Back to Basics: U.S. Security Partnerships in the Middle East” from 18 to 22 April 2022. This seminar explored the enduring issues and values that can reinforce or...
Marshall Center Educates Security Professionals to Counter International Illicit Threat Networks
By Christine June Public Affairs Office George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (March 8, 2019) – International illicit threat networks operate with the intent to cause great harm to people, resulting in mass causalities, said the...
Marshall Center Event Explores Common Vision of Shared Responsibility for Security
By Christine June Public Affairs Office George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies TUNIS, Tunisia – An outreach team from the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies organized an event to enhance a common understanding of shared responsibility for...
Marshall Center Seminar Examines Threats to Europe from the MENA Region
By Christine June Public Affairs Office George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (Jan. 22, 2019) – There are those who believe that the Arab regional order is collapsing, bringing a dark period for the Middle East and North Africa Region...
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 Center Hosts Army War College Strategic Staff Ride Seminar
On 16 May 2023, the Near East South Asia Center hosted Dr. John Nagl and twelve academic year 22–23 Army War College students from Carlisle Barracks for discussions on contemporary Iranian strategy and U.S. Middle East policy under the Biden Administration. Dr. Mahsa Rouhi,...
NESA Center Seminar Builds Iraqi Senior Leadership Capabilities
From 7–18 August 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a delegation of 32 senior Iraqi military officers and government officials for a two-week Iraqi General Officer Capstone Seminar in Washington, D.C. The Seminar, modeled on the U.S. Capstone...
NESA Center Strategic Studies Network MENA Workshop
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held a Strategic Studies Network (SSN) meeting in Manama, Bahrain, from 14–16 March 2023. Twelve representatives of civil society from the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region participated in a roundtable discussion. NESA Center...
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Apr–May 2023 NESA Center Update
Read our latest report that highlights recent NESA Region Central & South Asia 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...
"The Future of Security in the Middle East" featuring NESA Center Professor David Des Roches
Volume 30, Issue 2 of the Middle East Policy Journal, published on 28 May, includes a transcript of the Middle East Policy Council Symposium "The Future of Security in the Middle East," which took place on 21 April in Washington, D.C. The symposium featured NESA Center...
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...
Alumni Publication: "A new security culture in the Middle East" by Eman Ragab
On 11 July 2023, Ahram Online published NESA Center alumna Eman Ragab's article "A new security culture in the Middle East." "The last seven years have given rise to a number of new frameworks and mechanisms for security in the region." Read the full article here About...
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: "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...
Alumni Publication: "Navigating Afghanistan’s Complex Path Towards Freedom and Inclusion" by Mustafa Aryan
On 23 June, Salzburg Global Seminar published NESA Center alum Mustafa Aryan's latest piece "Navigating Afghanistan’s Complex Path Towards Freedom and Inclusion." This op-ed is part of a series, written by Salzburg Global Fellows and speakers of the Salzburg Global Weekend, with...
Alumni Publication: "The dangers of legitimizing the Taliban" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
On 01 May 2023, the Middle East Institute published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D’Souza's article "The dangers of legitimizing the Taliban" in its Monday Briefing: People power — the Israeli version blog. "Consensus eludes the West and regional countries on how to reform...
Alumni Publication: "The Fall of a Nation: A Story of Resilience and Hope" by Mustafa Aryan
On 18 August 2023, two years after the Taliban seized control of Kabul, Salzburg Global Seminar published NESA Center alum Mustafa Aryan's article "The Fall of a Nation: A Story of Resilience and Hope" in which he recounts the vivid memories he has of the Afghan...
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: "The Samarkand Meeting: A Half-baked Regional Approach to Afghanistan’s Endless Woes" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
On 25 April 2023, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D’Souza's piece titled "The Samarkand Meeting: A Half-baked Regional Approach to Afghanistan’s Endless Woes." D'Souza argues that "legitimizing the Taliban’s rule is not the solution to Afghanistan’s current...
Alumni Publication: Turkey’s Upcoming General Election and LGBTQ+ Issues by Simone Bekker and NESA Center Alum Hussein Solomon
NESA Center Alum Hussein Solomon and Simone Bekker authored an article published by Middle East Tracker on 4 February 2023 titled "Turkey’s Upcoming General Election and LGBTQ+ Issues." Read the article here The views presented in this article...
CIVIC-POMED Fact Sheet: "The Leahy Law 'Duty to Inform' and Human Rights Vetting for Non-Traceable Assistance"
A new fact sheet from Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), “Closing a Leahy Law Loophole: The ‘Duty to Inform’ and Human Rights Vetting for Non-Traceable Assistance,” takes stock of a new amendment to the Leahy Law that seeks to address...
Climate Change Threatens Turkey’s Role as a Food Supplier to Europe and the Middle East
On 18 July 2023, The Turkey Analyst published NESA Center regular speaker Professor Michaël Tanchum's article "Climate Change Threatens Turkey’s Role as a Food Supplier to Europe and the Middle East." "The persistence of high food inflation in Turkey belies a deeper problem. Turkish agrifood...
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: "China’s Approach to the Red Sea States"
Subject: China’s Approach to the Red Sea States. Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the CSAG’s analysis of China’s Approach to the Red Sea States, including the “5-No Approach” to the African countries. Read the full paper here View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic...
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: Hezbollah – IRGC’s Main Coordinating Tool in Middle East
Subject: Hezbollah – IRGC’s main coordinating tool in the Middle East. Purpose: This paper aims to present the results of the CSAG’s analysis of Hezbollah as the main coordinator for Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actions in the ME. It highlights Hezbollah’s regional activities,...
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 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: "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...