From 15–20 May 2022, the NESA Center hosted the Washington Study Program of Qatar’s Joaan bin Jassim Command and Staff College Senior Officer Program in Washington, D.C. The 35 participants included senior military officers and senior leaders from various Qatari government agencies. This program was part of the capstone trip at the end of a challenging year-long academic program.
Participants took part in various discussions led by experts who have served in senior positions in the U.S. government and in the Washington think-tank community. Issues discussed included the Russia-Ukraine War, the roles of the State Department and the National Security Council in public policy, the role of Congress in security affairs, and great power competition. The group also conducted a leadership and logistics-focused staff ride of the Gettysburg battlefield, a trip to the National Portrait Gallery presidential display, and commencement at the National Museum of the United States Army.
NESA Center’s Academic Dean, Dr. Roger Kangas, delivered an up-to-the-minute presentation on the Russia-Ukraine War, drawing on his recent field research in the region. The Program Operational Director was Magoumba Dieye and the Course Director was Professor David Des Roches.