Security Studies
South Korea Needs a Drone Strategy
Dr. Lami Kim’s OpEd “South Korea Needs a Drone Strategy” was recently published in the National Interest. According to Kim, “As North Korea’s drone capabilities increase, the South Korean military must enhance its capability to counter North Korea’s drone threats. As drone technology...
SSN: Environmental Security Seminar
The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies held its "Strategic Studies Network (SSN) Environmental Security" seminar in Washington, D.C., from 22–24 April 2024 for 21 participants from 18 countries. The three-day seminar had the goal of bringing together participants to...
Sudan Orientation Program for The West Point Model Arab League
From 5–6 October 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the West Point United States Military Academy (USMA) Model Arab League team at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. for an orientation program on Sudan. On Thursday, 5 October 2023,...
Take20 Podcast: What We are Thinking About AI
Faculty from Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) discuss the risks and opportunities surrounding the application of artificial intelligence in warfare, peace, and everything in between. Download here. Maj. Tony Smith of the U.S. Army recently served as a...
Thailand National Security Council Engagement
On 23 July 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in collaboration with the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), convened a meeting in Washington, D.C., with representatives from the Thailand National Security Council. The session was led by NESA...
The 67th Annual Excellence in Federal Government Awards Program
The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security honored five individuals and one team at the 2023 Honolulu Pacific Federal Executive Awards ceremony. The 67th Annual Excellence in Federal Government Awards Program and EXPO took place on May 5, 2023. This year DKI APCSS awardees are...
The 7th Great Power Competition Conference
On 7–9 March 2023, theGlobal and National Security Institute(GNSI) at the University of South Florida (USF), in collaboration with the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, held the7th Great Power Competition (GPC) Conferencetitled“The Current Rise of the Great Powers – The...
The 8th Great Power Competition Conference: “The Future and Ethics of Uncrewed and Autonomous Warfare”
From 27–28 September 2023, theGlobal and National Security Institute(GNSI) at the University of South Florida (USF), in collaboration with the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, held the8th Great Power Competition (GPC8) Conferencetitled“The Future and Ethics of Uncrewed...
The Changing Nature of Security in the Face of Climate and Environmental Disruption webinar is Now Online
The Security Nexus | Webinar on “The Changing Nature of Security in the Face of Climate and Environmental Disruption,” held on November 20, 2023, tackled the profound intersections between climate change, environmental crises, and global security. Hosted by Dr. James Minnich, a distinguished...
The Changing Security Dynamics in the Middle East Program
From 5–6 March 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a two-day program in Washington, D.C., to explore the history and significance of recent strategic changes in the Middle East, global and regional security dynamics, developments in-region and the economic...
The NESA Center Launches Online, On-Demand Courses for Alumni
On 23 May 2023, the NESA Center announced the launch of its online, on-demand courses for alumni through the GlobalNET Learning Management System (LMS). There are currently 26 courses available. The courses are self-paced and cover a wide range of security topics including Great Power...
The NESA Center Welcomes New Director Ambassador John Desrocher
We are delighted to welcome Ambassador John Desrocher as the new Director of the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. With 35 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Desrocher brings a wealth of experience from his assignments across North Africa, the...
The Post-Assad Era in Syria with Brigadier General Antoine Abisamra
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...
The Quad: Opportunities to Advance Shared Goals at the Crossroads of the Indo-Pacific Workshop
From 10–12 July 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), along with its partner The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), hosted an Indo-Pacific themed program entitled“The...
TSC bring senior leaders together to explore opportunities for cooperation
The Transnational Security Cooperation course is an in-depth executive education program designed to prepare senior security practitioners and military leaders to engage in cooperative security efforts that advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. Recently 38 senior leaders from 25 countries...
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 theTunisian National Defense Institute (NDI) Security Seminarin Tunis, Tunisia, on 9 January 2024. Professor Anne Moisan covered a Strategic Policy Approach for...
U.S. Army War College Strategic Staff Ride Seminar
On 15 May 2024, fifteen U.S. Army War College students and accompanying faculty attended a two-hour seminar hosted by the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies. The students and faculty were in Washington, D.C. as part of the Army War College’s annual Strategic Staff Ride,...
U.S.-Turkiye Track II Talks
On 9–10 October 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with theMiddle 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 Algeria and...
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Chairs Inaugural Plenary Meeting of Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience
On October 7-8, 2024, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante chaired the inaugural plenary meeting of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) in Honolulu, HI. National Armament Directors, and similarly positioned senior leaders,...
Underwater/Maritime Domain Awareness and Technological Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Workshop
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...
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A new article by Dr. Lami Kim for USIP
The United States Institute for Peace recently published a new article by Dr. Lami Kim, titled “The Risks of South Korea’s Nuclear Armament Under a Troubled Democracy.” In the article, Dr. Lami Kim examines the escalating nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting North Korea’s...
CSAG Strategy Paper: The Militia that Became a Power Player: The Houthis’ Shocking Rise
Introduction: Despite nearly a decade of war in Yemen, the world has largely ignored the Houthis, with the conflict often labeled as “the forgotten war.” However, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthis have propelled themselves onto the global stage. Seizing the...
New Security Nexus Paper Explores the Defense Industrial Base’s Role in Indo-Pacific Security
A newSecurity Nexuspaper,“The Strategic Role of the Defense Industrial Base in Advancing U.S. Lethality, Soft Power, and Indo-Pacific Security,”byDeon Canyon, Associate Dean of Academics and Professor, andCarleton Cramer, Captain (Ret.), U.S. Navy, Dean of Academics for the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-...
Security Nexus Paper Explores How Non-Warfighters Can Support U.S. Military Lethality
ASecurity Nexuspaper,“Enabling Lethality: The Non-Warfighter’s Role in Strengthening U.S. Military Effectiveness,”byDr. Lumpy Lumbaca, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines how civilian and support personnel within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)...
Security Nexus Paper Explores India’s Strategic Role in Myanmar Amidst China’s Influence
ASecurity Nexuspaper,“India’s Strategic Moment: Navigating Myanmar’s Crisis Amidst China’s Backing of the Junta,”by Miemie Winn Byrd, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines how China’s support for Myanmar’s military regime has fueled unrest while...
NESA Center Update: March 2025
The March 2025 NESA Center Updatefocuses on regional maritime trends. The update also highlights September through December 2024 programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar. Regional Maritime Trends Following theQuad Leaders’ Summiton 21...
CSAG Strategy Paper: From Impasse to Progress: A Reasonable Solution that Tackles Obstacles and Opportunities to Gaza Stability
Introduction: The Hamas-Israel conflict, is deeply rooted in historical grievances, competing national aspirations, and regional power dynamics. At its core is the “Palestinian question” – the unresolved issue of Palestinian statehood, self-determination, and the rights of Palestinians living...
CSAG Information Paper: Vital, Sensitive & Strategic Cooperation Pact between Russia and Iran
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 the full paper. View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic...
AI For Sushasan (Good Governance)
Check out DKI APCSS Alumni Dr. Surabhi Pandey's latest publication: AI FOR SUSHASAN (GOOD GOVERNANCE) From the description: "This book explores transformative governance reforms across nations, covering India’s civil service training, Mongolia’s administrative evolution, Korea’s anti-...
A Story of Resistance in the Age of Algorithmic Irregular Warfare
Dr. “Lumpy” Lumbaca of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies explores themes of technological overreach and human resilience in a piece published March 19, 2025, inSmall Wars Journal. InThe Sun Is Setting: A Story of Resistance in the Age of Algorithmic Irregular Warfare...
CSAG Information Paper: Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa “Profile Assessment”
Subject:Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa “Profile Assessment” Purpose: The aim of this paper is to provide an initial estimate of the likely trajectory of the Syrian government based on analysis of the public pronouncements over time of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the current president of the...
Transforming perceived disorganization into strategic strength
In her recent article in The Diplomat, “Myanmar’s Decentralized Resistance Is Too Resilient and Flexible to Crush,” Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd examines the unexpected durability of Myanmar’s resistance movement against the military junta. Contrary to past uprisings in 1988 and 2007, which were swiftly...
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Eastern Sentinel of India's Maritime Security
Captain Kamlesh Kumar Agnihotri, Senior Fellow at the National Maritime Foundation in New Delhi and DKI APCSS alumni has published a new book, "The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Eastern Sentinel of India's Maritime Security" According to the abstract: "In the context of its India's national...
Yoon’s Foreign Policy Falls Short of “Global Pivotal State” Vision
InForeign Policy, Dr. Lami Kim evaluates the foreign policy legacy of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in her article, “Yoon’s Disappointing Foreign-Policy Legacy.” Yoon, who was impeached and removed from office by the Constitutional Court on April 4, had pledged to transform South...
Security Nexus Perspective Calls for Stronger U.S.-India Defense Production Ties
A Security Nexus perspective, “Deterrence Needs a Factory: Fixing the U.S.–India Industrial Gap,” byShyam Tekwani, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, argues that while strategic alignment between the United States and India has advanced, their defense...
CSAG Information Paper: The President’s Proposed Alternative for Gaza
Subject:“The President’s Proposed Alternative for Gaza” Purpose: This paper presents an initial analysis of possible implications for USCENTCOM given President Trump’s recent statement about taking over Gaza. Read the full paper. View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic Analysis Group (CSAG...
CSAG Strategy Paper: “Iran’s Shadow Army: The PMF’s Growing Influence in Iraq”
Introduction: The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is an Iraqi state security service that Iran has infiltrated and uses to exert significant influence in Iraq. Iran’s influence on the PMF enables Tehran to pursue its objectives in Iraq while obfuscating its actual involvement in Iraqi internal...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Lebanon at a Crossroads: Geopolitical Shifts, Sectarian Realignments, and the Path to Stability in the Post-Assad Era
Introduction: The collapse of the Assad regime marked a critical juncture in the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East, precipitating a profound transformation in the region’s strategic architecture, particularly in Lebanon. Syria has historically functioned as Lebanon’s geographic, political...
CSAG Strategy Paper: Snapback, Standoff, Strike: Iran’s Converging Timelines
Introduction: The February 2025 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report reveals that Iran has intensified its nuclear program, openly violated prior agreements, and severely restricted IAEA monitoring. The IAEA notes that, “the significantly increased production and accumulation of high...
Alumni Publication: "Le nouveau décodage de la stratégie aérienne" by Dr. Zakaria Hanafi
NESA Center alumnus Dr. Zakaria Hanafi recently published a paper on 17 June 2025 through Geopolitique – the Moroccan Center for Geopolitical Analysis and Anticipation, titled “Le nouveau décodage de la stratégie aérienne.” Read the article. The views presented in this article...