From 26–30 January 2026, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the Executive Forum 02-26: Conflict Resolution, Cooperation, and Challenges in the MENA Region, bringing together 27 officials, practitioners, and experts from 17 countries across North Africa, the Levant, the Gulf, and key partner institutions.

Over five days, participants examined the persistent and emerging challenges shaping today’s Middle East and North Africa, while identifying practical avenues for improved cooperation and regional burden sharing.

The forum opened with a strategic assessment of the Middle East, highlighting the political and security implications of ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Through a series of expert-led sessions, participants engaged in discussions on U.S. interests and policies, countering violent extremism, transnational threats, and the evolving role of major external actors—including China and Russia—in shaping regional dynamics.

A central feature of the program was a multistage tabletop exercise, in which participants worked collaboratively to develop action-oriented policy recommendations. These breakout discussions focused on identifying achievable regional policy options, effective implementation pathways, and opportunities for burden sharing among MENA partners.

The final day addressed how the post–October 7 environment is reshaping U.S. strategy and regional alignments, followed by a concluding session where groups presented lessons learned and key recommendations.