CENTCOM CSAG Papers

ISKP Re-Emergence and New Threat?

LTC Jussi Puustinen, FIN Army, CSAG CCJ5 11 Jan 2022 Introduction: The origins of ISKP are in the chaos and turmoil of the last decade’s situation in Afghanistan and (western fought) wars in the Middle East. ISIS/Daesh affiliate ISKP (The Islamic State Khorasan Providence, also known with acronyms ISIS-K, IS-K, ISK) was fought against and Read More >

Will a Likely Future JCPOA be already worthless Because of Iran’s Nuclear Stockpiles?

By: LTC Arjen Wassink, NLD Army, CSAG CCJ5 29 Nov 2021 Introduction: The common perception of Iran’s threat is through its regional deployment and use of proxies, its tactical ballistic missiles, and the progressive enrichment of uranium to build a nuclear weapon. While it is possible that the US will return to the Joint Comprehensive Read More >

A Diplomatic, Military, and Economic Review for Bahrain, 12 Months into the Abraham Accords

By: Colonel Ahmed Morsy, Egyptian Armed Forces, CSAG CCJ5 16 Nov 2021 Background: Bahrain’s geographical location and geopolitical importance places the Kingdom in a prominent position. At times, Iran claims sovereignty over Bahrain and produces historical references to it. Bahrain was under Persian rule from 1602-1783, following an 80-year Portuguese occupation. In 1799, the House Read More >

Lessons Learned from the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan War over Nagorno-Karabakh

By: LTC Maciej Zaborowski, POL AF, CSAG CCJ5 05 Nov 2021 Introduction: The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the autumn of 2020 gained the attention of the international community. The conflict has long been considered, albeit wrongly, a frozen one by a majority of Western experts. However, the outcomes of the war were misguided Read More >

A Pivot to Geoeconomics: Pakistan’s Economic Security Paradigm

By: LTC Taewon Choi, CSAG CCJ5 25 Oct 2021 Introduction: Recently, Pakistani leaders have repeatedly signaled a shift from geopolitics to geoeconomics. In 2021, Pakistan officials have repeatedly spoke of the term ‘geoeconomics’. When the Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka in February, he emphasized the importance and possibility of connectivity of the country Read More >

Defining ‘Partner of Choice’

By: LCDR Stipe Skelin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 15 Sep 2021 Introduction: USCENTCOM applies the term PoC as part of the US strategy to support those who align with the US approach to the region – stability and security, leverage greater influence over key partner nations and other Great Power Competitors. Successful partnerships result in Read More >

Optimizing Mutual Interests in Afghanistan

By: Lt Col Farhan Ali, Pakistan Army, CSAG CCJ5 05 Aug 2021 Introduction: While the present domestic political and security situation in Afghanistan is extremely volatile, there are opportunities to strengthen the partnerships beyond the military domain and address the Coalition interests. Every challenge creates new opportunities, but these opportunities can be time sensitive. Dividends Read More >