By: LtCol Sami Alshehri, KSA, CSAG CCJ5 05 Oct 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 >
Annual NESA-IISS Southern Asia Security Conference
From 24–26 September 2021, Dean Dr. Roger Kangas along with Professor Dr. Hassan Abbas and Professor John Gill participated in the restart of the annual NESA-IISS Southern Asia Security Conference in Bahrain. This was the 14th iteration of the conference after a hiatus in 2020 because of the health crisis. As in the past, this 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 >
Iraq’s National Defense College Visit to NDU
On 20–24 September 2021, the NESA Center hosted a delegation from Iraq’s National Defense College (INDC). The first day started with opening remarks from NESA Center Dean Dr. Roger Kangas and a seminar introduction from NESA Center Professor Daniel Curfiss, who also moderated the seminar series. Over the course of the five-day seminar, members of Read More >
Senior Executive Seminar “Nuclear Weapons Proliferation: Strategic Implications for the NESA Region”
From 20 September to 24 September, the NESA Center conducted a weeklong Senior Executive Seminar on the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and the strategic implications for the NESA region. Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, Dr. Hassan Abbas, and Dr. Richard Russell moderated discussions with senior WMD experts from leading think tanks and NGOs, current Read More >
Iraq Capstone Visit
On 13–17 September 2021, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted the Iraq Capstone Visit to National Defense University (NDU) in Washington DC for an in-person seminar that consisted of ten sessions throughout five days. The seminar started off with opening remarks from NESA Center Director LTG Terry Wolff, U.S. Army Read More >
Defining ‘Partner of Choice’
By: LCDR Stipe Skelin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 15 Sep 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 >
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 >