Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn (USAF-Retired) joins the NESA Center in Celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a Special Washington Seminar

On 12 February 2025, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special Washington Seminar that featured Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn (USAF-Retired), 17th President of the National Defense University, as its keynote speaker. The seminar was marked by a gathering of distinguished guests, including past NESA Read More >

CSAG Strategy Paper: The Militia that Became a Power Player: The Houthis’ Shocking Rise

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER Vasile Nodis, MAJ, ROU AF (CSAG/CCJ5) 12 February 2025   Introduction: Despite nearly a decade of war in Yemen, the world has largely ignored the Houthis, with the conflict often labeled as “the forgotten war.” However, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthis have propelled themselves onto the Read More >

The Post-Assad Era in Syria with Brigadier General Antoine Abisamra

On 23 January 2025, Dr. Michael Sharnoff and Professor Anne Moisan hosted a virtual roundtable titled “The Post-Assad Era in Syria” with a MENA program Alumnus, Brigadier General Antoine Abisamra. His timely talk was based on his current fieldwork on the ground in Syria and his unique security background serving in various capacities, from Defense Read More >

AI-Driven Strategies to Counter Violent Terrorism and Extremism

NESA Center Alumni Publication Nimra Javed – NESA Center Alumnus serving as a Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies AJK. Nimra holds an MPhil Degree in Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad. 3 February 2025   AI-driven strategies for counterterrorism and violent extremism hold immense potential due to AI’s ability to Read More >

CSAG Strategy Paper: Ceasefire Part 2 – Regional Escalation

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER Ms. Sanna Stark (CF4), SWE Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5), COL Karim Ismail, EGY Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5), COL Jerzy Kania, POL Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5), MAJ Vasile Nodis, ROU Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5), LTC Mohammad Al-Hnaiti, JOR Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5), and LTC Ahmed Alzeyoudi, UAE Armed Forces (CSAG/CCJ5) 13 January 2025   Introduction: Since the U.S., Read More >

Key Takeaways from the 16th BRICS Summit

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC Syed Ali Safdar, Pak Army (CSAG/CCJ5)   2 January 2025 Subject: “Key Takeaways from the 16th BRICS Summit” Purpose: The paper presents updates, major discussions, and outcome of 16th BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Read the complete paper here.   View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic Analysis Group (CSAG) Information Read More >

Executive Seminar: Conflict Resolution, Cooperation, and Challenges in the MENA Region

From 9–13 December 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted an Executive Seminar entitled “Conflict Resolution, Cooperation, and Challenges in the MENA Region” in Washington, D.C. Led by Dr. Michael Sharnoff, the seminar focused on emerging dynamics in the MENA region and assessed opportunities for creating conditions for resolving differences. Read More >

CSAG Strategy Paper: The Impact of China’s Expansionism on the Region and Global Security

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER LTC Junghyok Kim, ROK Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 5 December 2024   Introduction: Many argue China has become one of the world’s superpowers. However, China appears unwilling to fully assume responsibility for issues facing the world. Simply put, China seems more concerned with furthering its own interests than addressing the problems raging outside its Read More >

Drone combat in the RUS/UKR war and potential applications for the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR)

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC Carmine Lombardi, ITA Army (CSAG/CCJ5) and LTC Mohammed Al-Hnaiti, JOR Army (CSAG/CCJ5)   21 November 2024 Subject: Drone combat in the RUS/UKR war and potential applications for the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). Purpose: This paper presents the CSAG’s analysis regarding drone combat in the Russian-Ukrainian war and the possible Read More >

CSAG Strategy Paper: High Stakes on High Ground: The Golan Heights, a Zero-sum Game for Regional Dominance

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER Lt Col Richard Pecinka, CZE AF (CSAG/CCJ5), LTC René Berendsen, NLD Army (CSAG/CCJ5), LTC Ivan Puhalo, HRV Army (CSAG/CCJ5), and MAJ Vasile Nodis, ROU AF (CSAG/CCJ5) 20 November 2024   Introduction: The Golan Heights, a hilly 460 square mile (1,200 square kilometer) strategically vital plateau, was seized by Israel from Syria during Read More >