On 21 June 2022, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies hosted 24 students and faculty from the Israel National Defense College (INDC) at Lincoln Hall on Fort McNair in Washington, DC. NESA Center Director LTG Terry A. Wolff, USA (Ret.) headed a discussion on the Russia-Ukraine War and fielded questions about U.S. Read More >
Russia
Russian Invasion of Ukraine – Regional Survey Report
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has dealt yet another challenge with global economic and humanitarian repercussions. In April 2022, the NESA Center surveyed its global alumni network of almost 12,000 security professionals from more than 150 countries to assess the global impact of the invasion, as well as regional attitudes and trends across the NESA Read More >
Pakistan’s Recent Diplomatic Efforts and Implications for Relations with the US
By: LTC Taewon Choi, ROK Army, CSAG CCJ5 18 May 2022 Overview: In 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of the state of Pakistan, clearly described the principles and objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy in a broadcast message: “The foundation of our foreign policy is friendship with all nations across the globe.” In accordance with this, Read More >
China’s New Military Posture in Central Asia
By: LTC Andrea ZANINI, ITA A, Action Officer, CSAG CCJ5 26 Apr 2022 Overview: The US has always faced significant challenges in establishing their presence in Central Asia, which has traditionally been considered as an area of Russian security influence. The Kremlin’s strategy to maintain regional hegemony in its neighbourhood includes establishing close ties with Read More >
Washington Seminar: “Is the U.S. Pulling Out of the Middle East?”
On 21 April 2022, The Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies hosted another Washington webinar to explore the security challenges facing the Middle East and South Asia. The U.S. national security strategies, over the past two presidential administrations, have called for more focus on Europe and Asia and less on the Middle East. Read More >
The January Crisis in Kazakhstan?
By: CDR Hubert MROZ, POL Navy, CSAG CCJ5 24 Feb 2022 Overview: On January 2, 2002, people took to the streets to protest high fuel prices in Zhanaozen and Aktau, major cities in the Mangystau region of western Kazakhstan. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) doubled its price from an equivalent of 11 to 23 cents (USD). Read More >
The Role of Kazakhstan in Strategic Competition?
By: CDR Hubert MROZ, POL Navy, CSAG CCJ5 25 Jan 2022 Introduction: Central Asia was once a geostrategic nexus during the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, when the British Empire and the Russian Empire were entangled in what was called “the Great Game” – a political and diplomatic confrontation over regional leverages. Read More >
Russia’s Strategic Communications on an Iran Nuclear Agreement?
By: LTC Jussi Puustinen, FIN Army, CSAG CCJ5 21 Jan 2022 Background: Russia has been very consistent about its messaging on the possibility of the re-establishment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA). Russia is supporting narrative about Iran’s willingness to return to the nuclear deal. In this case, Russia uncommonly shares the views Read More >
The Wall of Strength Against Aggression
By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Senior Fellow, Millenium Project, Washington, DC; NESA Alumnus 07 March 2022 141 of the 193 United Nations member states voted for the UN resolution on Russia’s aggression (thirty-five abstained and five voted against). Almost the entire world has shown solidarity and condemned the brutal aggression of Russia. President Biden addressed the State Read More >
Chatham House Workshop on Iran
On Monday, February 21, 2022 the NESA Center, in partnership with Chatham House, held a hybrid round-table discussion on the nuclear negotiation between Iran and global power in Vienna, Austria. The discussion was led by NESA Center Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas and moderated by NESA Center Professor Dr. Hassan Abbas, and NESA Center Professor Read More >