By: LtCol Sami Alshehri, KSA, CSAG CCJ5 5 October 2021 Background: The Iraqi elections come amid positive signs of Middle East de-escalation and new geopolitical conditions. These positive signs include the Baghdad Summit of neighboring countries, the recent KSA–Iran discussions in Iraq, bilateral visits between Iraq and GCC countries, and the loss of Iranian influence Read More >
Defining ‘Partner of Choice’
By: LCDR Stipe Skelin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 15 September 2021 Introduction: USCENTCOM applies the term PoC as part of the US strategy to support those who align with the US approach to the region – stability and security, leverage greater influence over key partner nations and other Great Power Competitors. Successful partnerships result in Read More >
Ramifications from Coordinating Committee of the Iraqi Resistance Factions’ July 28th, 2021 Statements
By: LtCol Ali AlBedwawi, UAE MOD, CSAG CCJ5 16 August 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 >
PMR Design for the Saudi Arabian National Defense University
On 30 September 2021, NESA Professors Dr. Michael Bell and Charles Marks delivered the preliminary design to transform the Saudi Armed Forces Command and Staff College into the Saudi Arabian National Defense University. The NESA team presented the details of the design to our partners at the Command and Staff College and the Saudi Ministry Read More >
MENA Regional Waters: Red Sea/Arabian Sea Smuggling Conundrum Workshop
14 to 15 September 2021, The NESA Center hosted a two-day workshop on security challenges in the waters of the Middle East with a specific emphasis on the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. NESA was assisted in this effort with support from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS). Esteemed representatives from regional countries and Read More >
Counterfeiting and Migration Workshop
On 09 September 2021, NESA and AFRICOM, in partnership with WJPC, GCMC, and IEMed, conducted a Counterfeiting and Migration Workshop as part of its virtual Transnational Threats Series. The Series began with a Transnational Threats Workshop held online on 28 January 2021 laying out broad concepts that impact all three Regional Center areas of focus. Read More >
Dynamics of Countering Human Trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf
From 30 August–1 September 2021, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies arranged a three-day virtual seminar to help participants assess, analyze, and identify opportunities to effectively counter human trafficking in South Asia and the Gulf and improve regional coordination and cooperation to dismantle illicit networks in the area. The seminar focused Read More >
Omani Diplomatic Institute Seminar
From 16 to 18 August 2021, experts from the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies arranged a three-day virtual seminar with 23 distinguished Omani diplomats to exchange their perspectives of the ongoing opportunities and challenges in the Middle East writ large. The overarching objective of this seminar was to promote mutual cooperation Read More >
Arab-Israeli Conflict: Israel/Jordan Trust to Enhance Defense and Security Cooperation Seminar
From 9 to 12 August, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies conducted a four-day seminar titled, “Arab-Israeli Conflict: Israel/Jordan Trust to Enhance Defense and Security Cooperation Seminar” to assess ways to establish peace and security cooperation between Israel and Jordan. The seminar was designed to offer a unique forum for discussing Read More >
Executive Seminar (ES 03-21) Climate Change
From 26 July to 05 August 2021, the NESA Center conducted a two-week seminar focused on the security implications related to climate change. Col. Daniel Curfiss (Ret.), Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, and Mr. David DesRoches moderated roundtable discussions with senior climate experts, current and former intelligence officers, and leaders in the private sector and academia to Read More >