From 22 – 23 June 2021, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, along with United States Central Command (CENTCOM), conducted a conference titled “State-of-Play in and Around Iran” that explored Iran’s domestic issues and challenges. The seminar had several panels focusing on; economy and military spending, political factions in Iran, defense Read More >
Iran
Syria Next
By: Matthew Wollen, F GS-13 USAF AFSOC OC/SPDP 14 June 2021 Introduction Throughout the decades following WWII, the U.S. was the dominant economic, political, and military influencer in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran all benefitted from one form of U.S. assistance or another. No other Read More >
Likelihood of Ethnic Cross-border Tensions in Iran
By: LTC Arjen Wassink, NLD Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 04 June 2021 Introduction: For centuries, cross-border tensions have escalated the risk of crises becoming wars. The war in Iraq showed how complicated these tensions can be and what risks they entail. The current crisis in the Read More >
Strategic Estimate 2021
By Combined Strategic Analysis Group – CCJ5-G – USCENTCOM May 2021 Introduction: USCENTCOM CCJ5 Combined Strategic Analysis Group (CSAG) produces a yearly, forward looking AOR Strategic Estimate for Commander USCENTCOM and staff. This Estimate is the 48th since 2003. The previous Estimate was released on 4 May 2020. The May 2021 Estimate is current as Read More >
Iran and Regional Security
By NESA Professor Dr. Gawdat Bahgat 18 March 2021 In November 2020, only days before he was elected President of the United States, then-candidate Joseph Biden stated, “I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy. If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as Read More >
Post-Maximum Pressure Campaign Rapprochement with Iran
By: Lt Col Farhan Ali, Pakistan Army, CSAG CCJ5 19 Feb 2021 Introduction: The Trump Administration criticized President Obama’s Iran policy, particularly the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). President Trump described the JCPOA as a poorly conceived and one-sided agreement that disproportionally benefitted Iran and allowed it to continue its malign behavior in the Read More >
The Consequences of Israeli Intervention in Syria
By: LCDR Stipe Skin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 10 Feb 2021 Introduction: Over the last five years, Israel has conducted surgical airstrikes against high value targets in Syria. This component of its “war between wars” will soon be challenged by the fielding of Iranian and Russian air defense systems. The new air defense systems are Read More >
Iran’s South Korea-Flagged Oil Tanker Seizure: What Does this Action Mean?
By Lieutenant Colonel Youngsuk Lee, Republic of Korea Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 8 Feb 2021 Introduction: On 5 January 2021, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the South Korea-flagged oil tanker M/T HANKUK CHEMI in the Strait of Hormuz. As a justification, Iran cited alleged Read More >
The Future of US-Iran Relations Under the Biden Administration
29 January 2021 – The NESA Center held a meeting with representatives from Chatham House and other European think-tanks to discuss the future of US-Iran relations under the Biden Administration. The U.S. perspective was given, followed by a discussion of how Iranian leaders read the political map in Washington. Also among consideration was the Read More >