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2023 Air War College International Officer Seminar
On 23 June 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted 54 international fellows and faculty from the Air War College. The students were briefed at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. by NESA Center Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas on the Security...
Dr. Sungmin Cho Presents at the 22nd Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea
On July 14, DKI APCSS professor Dr. Sungmin Cho joined a panel of experts to discuss North Korea’s most recent nuclear tests and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war. In his remarks Dr. Cho presented his analyses on (1) the Chinese view of North Korea’s military provocations in...
Executive Seminar: Conflict Beyond Evolving Warfare
From 31 January to 11 February 2022, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted a virtual Executive Seminar on “Conflict Beyond Evolving Warfare.” Course Director NESA Center Associate Professor David Des Roches welcomed the group and started the seminar,...
Executive Seminar: Strategic Competition and Regional Cooperation
From 4–15 December 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the Executive Seminar (ES): “Strategic Competition and Regional Cooperation.” Throughout the two-week virtual event, the NESA Center hosted representatives from all over the world to discuss different...
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...
NESA Center Faculty Conduct a Third Annual Strategic Dialogue with the Armenian National Defense Research University
From 18–21 March 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies convened a seminar-based dialogue on national strategic issues led by NESA Center faculty members Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas, Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, Professor Richard Wiersema, and Associate Dean Charles Marks...
NESA IOR Digital Series with Pierre Morcos
09 February 2022 – This iteration of the NESA IOR Digital Series, led by NESA Center Professor Jeffrey Payne, featured remarks by Pierre Morcos, who is currently a visiting fellow in the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Mr....
NESA-IISS South Asian Security Forum in Bahrain
25 to 27 March 2022 – The NESA Center and its partner, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), co-hosted the sixth annual South Asian Strategic Forum in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This unique Track 1.5 dialogue brought together 40 participants from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan,...
Senior Executive Seminar: Global & Regional Power Competition
From 15-19 November 2021, the Near East South Asia Center (NESA) hosted a virtual Senior Executive Seminar titled “Global and Regional Power Competition.” The seminar started off with welcomes from Course Director Dr. Michael Sharnoff, NESA Center Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas, and NESA...
U.S.-Turkiye Track II Talks
On 9–10 October 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with the Middle East Institute (MEI), held Track II talks between the United States and Türkiye in Ankara. The U.S. delegation included Randa Slim (MEI), Robert Ford (former Ambassador to...
Washington Seminar Discussion – May 2023
On 10 May 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Washington Seminar Discussion at the Army-Navy Club in downtown Washington, D.C. The seminar presented a conversation between Dr. Gawdat Bahgat (Professor, NESA Center) and Dr. Seth Center (Deputy Envoy...
Washington Seminar Series
On 10 February 2022, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) hosted a modified version of its popular Washington Seminar Series titled “Biden Administration Foreign Policy – An Assessment and the Way Forward.” The group from nearly 30 embassy communities was...
Alumni Survey Report: Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has dealt yet another challenge with global economic and humanitarian repercussions. In April 2022, the NESA Center surveyed its global alumni network of almost 12,000 security professionals from more than 150 countries to assess the global impact of the invasion, as...
CSAG Information Paper: What is Behind the Humanitarian Policy of the Russian Federation
Subject: What is behind (Концепция гуманитарной политики Российской Федерации за рубежом)? The Concept of the Russian Humanitarian Policy document. Purpose: To present a rational and literal analysis for the contents and timing of the humanitarian abroad policy of the Russian...
Alumni Publication: Europe’s security future by Dr. Eman Ragab
NESA Center alumnus Dr. Eman Ragab considers EU security in the light of the Ukraine war in this piece published by Ahram Online. "In their meeting on 15 November, the EU foreign ministers discussed the EU’s defence and security role and the action plan for developing a European Rapid Deployment...
Faculty Publication: Geo-policy and Energy in 2022 by Dr. Gawdat Bahgat
On 3 January 2023, NESA Center Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat published "Geo-policy and Energy in 2022" in RiEnergia - ambiente e risorse, punto per punto. "Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought major disruptions to the global energy system and heightened Europe’s...
CSAG Strategy Paper: The Prospect of Cooperation and Integration among Central Asian States
Overview: In recent years, regional cooperation has been promoted in Central Asia, and the trend of regionalization and regionalism is emerging. Regionalization can be described as a spontaneous bottom-up process. In contrast, regionalism is defined as the political will (hence ‘ism’ is attached...
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...
Alumni Publication: "Russia’s military is less than meets the eye" by Ilan Berman
On 24 May 2023, The Hill published the article "Russia’s military is less than meets the eye" authored by Ilan Berman, a NESA Center alum and regular speaker for NESA Center programs. "For many years now, officials in Moscow have extolled the virtues of Russia’s 'wonder weapons,'...
Alumni Publication: "China Can’t Have It Both Ways in Europe" by Joshua Eisenman and Ilan Berman
On 30 May 2023, Foreign Policy (FP) published the opinion piece "China Can’t Have It Both Ways in Europe" co-authored by Joshua Eisenman and Ilan Berman, a NESA Center alum and regular speaker for NESA Center programs. The article explores the intricate dynamics between China...
CSAG Information Paper: "China and Russia: Competition for Afghanistan"
Subject: China and Russia: Competition for Afghanistan (AFG) Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present CSAG’s analysis of competition between Russia and China for agreements and strategies for the Central Asian Heartland. Read the full paper here View other USCENTCOM Combined...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "The Soviet-sounding New Foreign Policy of Russia"
Overview: On March 31, President Putin announced an updated concept of Russian foreign policy. The previous document has been in effect since November 30, 2016. The Russian government is adapting its foreign policy assumptions to the changed situation due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and...
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: "The Russian War's Impact on Global Order"
Overview: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has challenged established international norms and principles. The annexation of Crimea and subsequent full invasion of Ukraine violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are fundamental principles of international law. The conflict...
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 Strategy Paper: "Analyzing The Kashmir Conflict – Chinese Connection and Implications for the US"
Overview: The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has resulted in decades of hostility, including three wars. The Kashmir dispute is the oldest pending dispute on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which merits earnest world attention for a permanent solution....
CSAG Strategy Paper: "Sanctions on Russia and Economic Impact for Central Asia"
Overview: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a geopolitical challenge to the world order. The Russian attack violated not only Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, but also the rules-based international order and created a global economic, political and security crisis. Central Asian...
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...
CSAG Strategy Paper: "Lebanon: A Potential Game Changer in the CENTCOM AOR"
Overview: Years of political instability in combination with an ongoing economic crisis — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion in the Port of Beirut in August 2020 — have brought the country close to collapse. Moreover, the current institutional vacuum (with no president...
Alumni Publication: "The competition for influence in the Americas is now online" by Celina Realuyo
On 12 February 2024, Atlantic Council published NESA Center alumna Celina Realuyo's latest article on how the PRC and Russia are exploiting emerging technologies and cyberspace in the Americas, titled "The competition for influence in the Americas is now online." This publication is...
Alumni Publication: "After Attack in Russia, Focus Turns to ISKP in Afghanistan and Central Asia" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 28 March 2024, The Diplomat published NESA Center alumna Shanthie Mariet D'Souza's article, "After Attack in Russia, Focus Turns to ISKP in Afghanistan and Central Asia." "The focus on and understanding of ISKP’s core area in Afghanistan and Pakistan needs to be expanded...
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...
WATCH: Professor David Des Roches discusses American support for Ukraine on Al-Sharq News
NESA Center Professor David Des Roches appeared on the latest episode of Dubai's Al-Sharq News segment Washington Report with Rana Abtar to discuss Congress’s failure to fund Ukraine before the New Year, its causes, possible solutions, and how it reflects on U.S. commitments to its allies...
LISTEN: Professor David Des Roches discusses Russia’s rebranding of Wagner group in Africa on VOA's Africa News Tonight
On 19 January 2024, NESA Center Professor David Des Roches discussed Russia’s rebranding of Wagner group in Africa as the “African Legion” on Voice of America's Africa News Tonight radio show. Listen on the VOA website or listen here starting at 3:40: The views...
LISTEN: Professor David Des Roches discusses the morphing of the Wagner Group into the African Legion on VOA's Africa News Tonight
On 29 February 2024, NESA Center Professor David Des Roches discussed the Russian expansion in Africa and the morphing of the Wagner Group into the "African Legion" on Voice of America's Africa News Tonight radio show. Listen on the VOA website starting at 13:22 or...
LISTEN: Professor David Des Roches discusses Russian disinformation in Africa on VOA's Africa News Tonight
On 09 March 2024, NESA Center Professor David Des Roches discussed Russian disinformation in Africa on Voice of America's Africa News Tonight radio show. Russian influence in Africa is expanding on so many levels. Diplomatically, experts say Russia’s overarching goal is to...