The youngest of five Regional Centers, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center covers one of the most diverse  and volatile areas of the world, stretching from the western end of North Africa to the Himalayas "from Marrakech to Bangladesh."The NESA Center participating countries include: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The NESA Center concept is based on the premise that Arabs and Israelis, Pakistanis and Indians and others  would come together in a neutral setting for mutually beneficial dialogue about national security issues. This concept has proven itself strong even during times such as the August 2006 Lebanon conflict, when we had both  Israeli and Lebanese representatives attend a Combating Terrorism seminar while the conflict continued.  Our alumni continue to be the Center’s greatest resource.

Plans for a forward office are nearing completion, and the NESA Center has implemented new  programs on countering ideological support for terrorism, increasing and improving strategic communication and  outreach to the region and supporting other strategic goals.

NESA Mission

To enhance security in the Near East and South Asia by building sustained, mutually beneficial relationships; fostering regional cooperation on security issues; and promoting effective communications and strategic capacity through free and candid interaction in an academic environment.

NESA Vision

To build sustained, engaged communities of influence and partnership among security professionals and leaders in the NESA region.