From 1–8 April 2026, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the Tunisian National Defense Institute (TNDI) National Security Forum in Washington, D.C., bringing together 49 senior Tunisian civilian and military leaders and 3 Embassy of Tunisia observers with U.S. government officials, policy experts, and private‑sector representatives. Now in its 16th year under AFRICOM sponsorship, the forum provided a strategic venue to assess the evolving U.S.–Tunisia strategic partnership, examine Tunisia’s expanding regional role, and explore future defense and security opportunities, and public‑private cooperation.  

Anchored in the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy, discussions focused on Tunisia’s transition from a traditional security assistance recipient toward a more reciprocal, capability‑driven partnership with the United States—one that emphasizes sovereignty, resilience, and regional leadership, particularly in Africa. Forum sessions addressed U.S. government approaches to security cooperation, AFRICOM priorities, AI and emerging technologies, crisis and resilience planning, and the implications of regional conflicts for North African security. Participants also examined the role of public‑private partnerships, pivotal industries, and diaspora engagement in strengthening economic sovereignty and long‑term national security outcomes.  

The forum culminated in a tabletop exercise in which participants developed actionable policy recommendations to advance Tunisia’s strategic posture toward the United States under the current National Security Strategy. Through sustained dialogue, expert briefings, and interactive exercises, the National Security Forum reinforced professional networks, deepened mutual understanding, and supported long‑term collaboration between Tunisian and U.S. defense, diplomatic, and security institutions.