2024 NESA Center Executive Seminar: The Indo-Pacific, MARSEC, and Technology
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 first week starting from the left: Jeffrey Payne, Assistant Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; Dr. Michael Sharnoff, Associate Professor, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.), Deputy Director, NESA Center for Strategic Studies; Dr. Thomas F. Lynch III, Distinguished Research Fellow, Center for Strategic Research (CSR), Institute of National Strategic Studies (INSS), National Defense University, VADM (ret) Pradeep Chauhan, Director, Forum for Strategic and Security Studies (FSSS); Holly A. Haverstick, Director, International Affairs and Foreign Policy Advisor, United States Coast Guard; Dr. Joel Wuthnow, Senior Research Fellow in the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS), National Defense University (NDU); Adm (Ret) S.A.M. Jayantha Perera, former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy and Maritime Consultant, McLarens Group; LTG (ret) Terry Wolff, Senior Director Middle East, National Security Council; Dr. Ian Ralby, President, I.R. Consilium; Dr. Shahab Khan, Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Bangladesh; and Dr. Jean-Loup Samaan, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore.
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.
Executive Seminar speakers during the second week starting from the 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.
Check back soon to read the final report providing a summary, highlighting key themes, findings, agenda, and recommendations.
The views presented in this article are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.
