By: LtCol Ali AlBedwawi, UAE MOD, CSAG CCJ5 16 Aug 2021 Background: The delegations of the Republic of Iraq, led by Dr. Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the United States of America, led by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, co-chaired the final session of the June 11, 2021 Strategic Dialogue. The Read More >
CENTCOM CSAG Papers
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 >
Is KSA Destined to be the Last Country to Normalize Relations with Israel?
By: LTC Dusan Borak, CZE Air Force, CSAG CCJ5 04 Aug 2021 Introduction: In August 2020, news came from the US that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed with his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Mohamed bin Said Al Nahjan to begin normalizing relations between the two countries. The following month, they signed the Read More >
The Syrian Situation and its Impacts on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
By: LTC Marco PRANZO, ITA Army, CSAG CCJ5 23 July 2021 Introduction: In 2020 the conflict in Syria was further exacerbated by the country’s worst economic crisis since 2011, international sanctions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In this challenging socio-economic situation, a so-called oligopoly, encompassing Syrian and non-Syrian entities has formed. For years, the entities that Read More >
US Withdrawal from Iraq and Conditions that Enabled ISIS’ Spread: 2011 and 2021 Comparison
By: LTC Octavian Dorobantu, ROU Army, CSAG CCJ5 23 July 2021 Introduction: In early 2019, the ISIS caliphate was declared “defeated” after losing the Battle of Baghuz Fawqani. However, in 2020, a significant growth in IS attacks has been witnessed in their traditional heartlands of Syria and Iraq, as well as an increasing presence in Read More >
Turkey past Erdogan: The Turkish Expansionist Policy in the Region
By: LTC Marco Pranzo, ITA Army, CSAG CCJ5 16 July 2021 Introduction: From the Middle East to North Africa via the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey is trying to assert its influence in a region undergoing profound reorganization, and which is still highly unstable. Driven both by the ambition to become a regional power, and by specific Read More >
Turkey and Iran Geopolitical Approaches in the Middle East
By: COL Saud Alhasawi, Kuwait Army, CSAG CCJ5 16 July 2021 Introduction: Historically, Turkish-Iranian relations were characterized as a mix of both cooperation and competition. Each of the two has its own agenda and regionally projects power with ambitions towards sovereignty and control. The worsening of the Middle East’s regional situation has provided an opportunity Read More >
The Geopolitical Implications of Returning to the JCPOA
By: LTC Sami Alshehri, Saudi Arabian Military, CCJ5 CSAG 15 July 2021 Introduction: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a detailed agreement reached between Iran, and the UN Security Council’s five permanent members (US, Russia, the UK, China, France), plus Germany (together the “P5+1”). The agreement was reached on July 14, 2015, and Read More >
Impact of Turkey’s Space Program on the Security Environment in CENTCOM’s AOR
By: CDR Azamat Murzabekov, Kazakhstan Armed Forces, CSAG CCJ5 13 July 2021 Introduction: Over the last decade, Turkey has invested in its space ambitions, resulting in the strengthening of its space-related know-how and strengthening its position within the global arena. In 2011, RASAT, and 2012, Gokturk 2, were launched into orbit. The two Earth Observation Read More >
Are We Facing a Shift in KSA-US Relations or is it Only a Temporary Weakening?
By: LTC Dusan Borak, CZE Air Force, CSAG CCJ5 13 July 2021 Introduction: Despite all the ideological differences between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA or the Kingdom), their partnership has so far been considered very strong, even though it was not based on a common foundation. The stopping support for Read More >