Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs PME Engagement

The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs is undergoing a significant reorganization aimed at enhancing its logistics, organization, and processes. A dedicated team of senior leaders has been appointed to focus on these improvements while prioritizing the professional development of the entire force. As part of this effort, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Read More >

2024 Iraqi General Officer Capstone Seminar

The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the annual Iraq Capstone event in Washington, D.C., from 22 July – 2 August 2024. A senior delegation of representatives from the Iraq interagency participated in a robust program comprised of best practices from senior United States professional military education programs, subject matter experts delivered content Read More >

Washington Seminar – July 2024

The Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies hosted a luncheon discussion on 31 July, 2024 at the Army-Navy Club in Washington, D.C., on the upcoming United States Presidential elections. Associate Dean Charles Marks moderated a conversation with Yuko Mukai, the Washington, D.C. correspondent for Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan’s national print newspaper, and Jonathan Landay, Read More >

The Dynamics of the Fragile State of Iraq: The Impact of Political, Economic, and Security Factors

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: CSAG   03 July 2024 Subject:The Dynamics of the Fragile State of Iraq: The Impact of Political, Economic, and Security Factors. Purpose: This paper presents the CSAG’s analysis of the political, economic and security dynamics in Iraq, the extent of Iranian influence within the country, and potential future trajectories for Iraq. Read More >

Reawakening Threats: The Reemergence of Islamic State Amid Global Distractions

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC René Berendsen, NLD Army (CSAG/CCJ5), Lt Col Richard Pecinka, CZE AF (CSAG/CCJ5), and MAJ Felix Badut, ROU Army (CSAG/CCJ5)   05 April 2024 Subject: “Reawakening Threats: The Reemergence of Islamic State Amid Global Distractions.” Purpose: This paper examines the reemergence of Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East. IS continues Read More >

Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar “Technological Innovation & Security Challenges in the NESA Region”

From 22–26 January 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar (CTSES) titled “Technological Innovation & Security Challenges in the NESA Region,” held at National Defense University in Washington, D.C.   The five-day CTSES engaged 33 participants from 24 countries, including Armenia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Djibouti, Read More >

Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age”

From 11–15 September 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar (CTSES) titled “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age,” held in Washington, D.C.   The CTSES five-day seminar engaged 32 participants from 22 countries. Thirteen sessions began with speakers, followed by question-and-answer sessions with participants Read More >

NESA Center Seminar Builds Iraqi Senior Leadership Capabilities

From 7–18 August 2023, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) hosted a delegation of 32 senior Iraqi military officers and government officials for a two-week Iraqi General Officer Capstone Seminar in Washington, D.C. The Seminar, modeled on the U.S. Capstone Program, was designed to prepare Senior Leaders for the unique challenges Read More >

Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing: Best Practices

From 10–14 July 2023, in Washington, D.C., the NESA Center for Strategic Studies hosted a seminar titled “Countering Violent Extremism and the Role of Community Policing: Best Practices.” The seminar was designed to help participants evaluate and analyze the nature and dynamics of significant community policing challenges, especially in the realm of violent extremism, and deliberate on building counter-narratives to extremism.   The NESA Center welcomed the Read More >

Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon)

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: MAJ Ibrahim Elveren, Turkish Army (CSAG/CCJ5) and Lt Col Richard Pecinka, Czech AF (CSAG/CCJ5) 2 June 2023 Subject: Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon) Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding how the Captagon drug industry in Syria affects Read More >