Security Studies
Lebanese Embassy & NESA Center Engagement
As a follow-up to the Washington Embassy Orientation, a NESA Center team was invited to the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., to discuss future partnering and a restart of a Lebanese National Defense University (NDU). On 13 December 2023, NESA Center Professors Richard Wiersema and...
Local Residents Gather at GCMC for the Answers to: What is the Marshall Center?
GARMSICH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – Since 1993, the George C. Marshall Center has operated in Southern Bavaria, just a few kilometers from the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. For the staff, faculty, participants, alumni, and families connected to the Center, the mission is clear: To educate,...
Maj. Afua Boahema-Lee Publishes Climate Change Article
“Comparative Study on Climate Change in Thailand, Vietnam” is the latest article by U.S. Army Maj. Afua Boahema-Lee, published inLiaison, a journal of civil-military disaster management and humanitarian relief collaborations. Boahema-Lee presents a comprehensive, comparative study on...
Maluhia Talks 2025 Shine a Light on Regional Challenges
By Douglas Carroll, Public Affairs Specialist In April, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) convened senior officials from the United States, key Indo-Pacific nations, and other allies and partners for the Maluhia Talks, which focus on Indo-Pacific...
Maluhia Talks about Defense Industrial Base Resilience
Looking for ways to build resilience was the focus of the recentMaluhia Talks 2024hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Held April 30 to May 2, 2024, in Honolulu, the event brought together more than 40 government security professionals and industry...
Maluhia Workshop Convenes Senior Officials for Strategic Collaboration
The recent Maluhia 2023 workshop focused on building a better understanding of strategic policy in the region. Thirty-seven senior officials from countries within and outside the Indo-Pacific region gathered at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in...
Marshall Center’s Global Impact through the Applied Security Studies Program
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – For nine weeks, the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen was home to a gathering of 94 security professionals from 52 countries. They came together for the Marshall Center’s flagship Program on Applied Security Studies (PASS), diving into some of the world’s...
Middle East 2025 Workshop
From 25–26 March 2024, experts from the Qatar Armed Forces Strategic Studies Centre (QAFSSC) and the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies convened in Istanbul, Türkiye, for a series of comprehensive discussions. The discussions centered on defense, security, and the...
Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs PME Engagement
The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs is undergoing a significant reorganization aimed at enhancing its logistics, organization, and processes. A dedicated team of senior leaders has been appointed to focus on these improvements while prioritizing the professional development of the entire force....
MIPOC Goes to Japan
For the first time, the Mobile Indo-Pacific Orientation Course (MIPOC) was hosted in Japan thanks to a partnership between U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS). More than 104 Fellows attended the five-day course, hosted at...
Nationalism Versus Liberalism: A South Korean View of the Taiwan Issues
At the invitation of Brookings Institution, Dr. Sungmin Cho contributed an essay for its Taiwan-U.S. Quarterly Analysis series. In this essay, Dr. Cho explains, “The Taiwan issue is often viewed by leaders of the United States and its allies as a contest between democracy and...
NATO Allies and Partners Focus on Defense and Deterrence Posture in the Black Sea Region
SOFIA, Bulgaria (November 12, 2024) – Marshall Center alumni, security experts, and government leaders gathered for the tenth annual Black Sea Regional Alumni Forum, hosted by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, to address the evolving security landscape in the Black...
NATO Allies and Partners Focus on Defense and Deterrence Posture in the Black Sea Region
SOFIA, Bulgaria (November 12, 2024) – Marshall Center alumni, security experts, and government leaders gathered for the tenth annual Black Sea Regional Alumni Forum, hosted by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, to address the evolving security landscape in the Black...
Nepal Ambassador and Defense Attaché Engagement with the NESA Center
On 7 December 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies Acting Director COL David Lamm, USA (Ret.) and Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas hosted Nepal’s Ambassador Sridhar Khatri and Defense Attaché Brigadier Bhuwan Satyal, at NESA Center offices for discussions on...
Nepal NDU Design Committee Dialogue at the NESA Center
From 8–12 April 2024, the Near East South Asia Center’s professional military education team, in collaboration with the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) and the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation, Kathmandu, hosted six senior members of the Nepal National Defense...
NESA (SSN)-AFRICOM-IEMed Human Security Approach for 2030 Workshop
From 10–11 January 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies/Strategic Studies Network (SSN), in partnership with U.S. Africa Command and the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), conducted the 10th annual workshop entitled “NESA (SSN)-AFRICOM-IEMed Human...
NESA Center and Azerbaijan National Defense University Engagement
On 15 July 2023, a Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies delegation composed of Professor Richard E. Wiersema and Associate Dean Charles B. Marks met withMajor General Arif Hasanov, who isthe Deputy Director of the National Defense University for Science and the Director of...
NESA Center Briefing at ARCENT Commander’s Conference
On 20 April 2023, the United States Army Central Command (ARCENT) conducted a Commander’s Conference at Shaw Airforce Base in South Carolina for all subordinate components and headquarters leadership focused on Security Cooperation. ARCENT invited the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for...
NESA Center Engagement with the GD Center for Strategic Defense and Research Studies
On Wednesday, 4 September 2024, three Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officials from the GD Center for Strategic Research and Defense Studies, including the Director, COL (Ret.) Ahmed Alibrahim, met with representatives from the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D...
NESA Center Faculty Conduct a Third Annual Strategic Dialogue with the Armenian National Defense Research University
From 18–21 March 2024, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies convened a seminar-based dialogue on national strategic issues led by NESA Center faculty members Academic Dean Dr. Roger Kangas, Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, Professor Richard Wiersema, and Associate Dean Charles Marks...
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PM Dahal’s China Visit: Strategic Autonomy Facing Uncertainty
Nepal -China relationship is strategic, with three pillars: political-security, political-economy, and socio-cultural undertakings forming the political-economic-security-diplomatic nexus, as emphasized during the visit. Journey of Diplomacy in the 21st Century The diplomatic voyage in the...
Nepal: National Destiny in Disjunction
“Nepal: National Destiny in Disjunction” Nepal’s destiny, “Khusi Nepali and Sambriddha Nepal” (Happy Nepali and Prosperous Nepal), was coined on 12 February 2018 during the Fireside Chat conducted by Kantipur TV. The refrain took a national itinerary when then Prime Minister KP Oli revealed it on...
Nepal: Diplomatic Behavior in the Russia-Ukraine War
Nepal: Diplomatic Behavior in the Russia-Ukraine War Nepal’s foreign policy towards Russia’s offensive on Ukraine sheds light on the factors influencing its approach and strategic decisions. As a landlocked country nestled between two regional superpowers, China and India, Nepal’s foreign policy...
Are Alliances and Alignment a Consent for New World Order?
Nation-states are polarizing at the same time cooperating, competing, and for many finding a space for persistence and a diplomatic way out. The takeaways of G20 with India-Middle East-Europe economic Corridor (IMEEC) and G77 with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CHIP-4, and the Trilateral...
Faculty Publication: "Contrary to Western Understanding, Islam Is a Liberal Faith" by Hassan Abbas
On 22 February 2024, The UnPopulist published an article co-authored by NESACenter Distinguished Professor Hassan Abbas andZahra Hassan,"Contrary to Western Understanding, Islam Is a Liberal Faith." "No religion can be properly understood based on its most extreme proponents," writeAbbas...
Alumni Publication: "Terrorism and transnational crime" by Eman Ragab
On 13 February 2024,alAhram Weekly published NESA Center alumnaEman Ragab's latest article,"Terrorism and transnational crime." "What are the reasons behind the increasing links between terrorist activities and transnational organised crime groups?" asks Ragab. Read the full article...
Alumni Publication: "A Reality Check on Afghanistan’s Isolation Under the Taliban" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 24 February 2024,The Diplomatpublished NESA Center alumnaShanthie Mariet D'Souza's article,"A Reality Check on Afghanistan’s Isolation Under the Taliban." "Beneath the U.N. secretary general’s claims of consensus in Doha, a clear division is visible among countries regarding whether and how...
Alumni Publication: "Understanding environmental crimes" by Thusitha Bulathgama
On 4 February 2024, The Morning published NESA Center alumThusitha Bulathgama's article,"Understanding environmental crimes." "It is important to have sufficient energy, food, minerals, and water to support stable and prosperous societies. With the development of technology, people have lost...
J5 Academic Paper: “Shining a Light on Iran’s Shadow War"
Iran’s Gray Zone Strategy Iran is running the world’s most effective gray zone campaign and hardly anyone has noticed. By combining a punishment strategy covered in plausible deniability with an influence strategy under the threshold of conflict, Iran is quietly reclaiming its place as the...
Alumni Publication: "Regaining a Foothold in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan: India’s Way Ahead" by Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
NESA Center alumnaShanthie Mariet D’Souza authored a chapter titled"Regaining a Foothold in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan: India’s Way Ahead" in theObserver Research Foundation's special report, Afghanistan Under the Taliban: Enduring Challenges, Evolving Responses, published on 4 March 2024....
Analysis: A report card on women’s integration into Arab militaries
TheMiddle East Institutepublished an analysis, "A report card on women’s integration into Arab militaries," by Dina Arakji, on 6 March 2024. The article outlines and analyzes Arab countries’ efforts to implement Resolution 1325on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) by rolling out National Action...
UNDP Report: "Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa"
In the years 2021–2022, Africa witnessed a significant rise in military coups and attempts with six successful coups and two failed attempts. This surge in unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) deviated from the previous decade’s trends andunderscores the need to better understand the...
Alumni Publication: "Sri Lanka: The rise of ultra-nationalism and elections" by Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
On 9 March 2024, the National Institute of Advanced Studies published NESA Center alumAsanga Abeyagoonasekera'sanalysis of the rise of ultra-nationalism in Sri Lanka and its impact on the country's elections. "The state of Sri Lanka has a four-pronged challenge: first, the rise of Tamil...
Alumni Publication: "Women’s rights under the Taliban: The socio-economic consequences of political exclusion" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 7 March 2024, Middle East Institute published NESA Center alumnaShanthie Mariet D'Souza's analysis, "Women’s rights under the Taliban: The socio-economic consequences of political exclusion." "One of the first things the Taliban did after capturing power in August 2021 was to abolish the...
2023 NESA Center Impact Report
The2023 Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies Impact Reportshowcases the NESA Center alumni network, academic programming, and engagements spanning from fiscal year 2023 to the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. It particularly highlights the following areas of focus:...
Alumni Publication: "Greece Spearheads a Dynamic Energy Transition" by Antonia Dimou
On 13 March 2024, Modern Diplomacy published NESA Center alumnaAntonia Dimou's latest Op-Ed,"Greece Spearheads a Dynamic Energy Transition." "Despite challenges associated with the war on Ukraine, Greece has emerged more resilient by enhancing reform of its energy market," writesDimou. Read...
Alumni Publication: "Changing Threat Dimensions; Preventing Extremism in The Digital Age" by Charani Patabendige
The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka recently published NESA Center alumnaCharani Patabendige's paper, "Changing Threat Dimensions; Preventing Extremism in The Digital Age,"in its Defence and Strategic Studies Proceedings Book of the 2023 International Research...
Alumni Publication: "Where Do Taliban-Pakistan Relations Stand Now?" by Shanthie Mariet D'Souza
On 15 March 2024,The Diplomatpublished NESA Center alumnaShanthie Mariet D'Souza's article,"Where Do Taliban-Pakistan Relations Stand Now?" "One reason driving Islamabad’s renewed efforts in Afghanistan may be India’s continuing moves to expand its dealings with the Taliban," writesD'Souza....
Alumni Publication: "Ship hijacking reveals Bangladesh’s maritime vulnerabilities" by Shafqat Munir
On 14 March 2024, The Daily Star published NESA Center alumShafqat Munir'slatest Op-Ed,"Ship hijacking reveals Bangladesh’s maritime vulnerabilities." "For Bangladesh, maritime security represents both a traditional and non-traditional security threat. As a coastal country, Bangladesh is heavily...
Alumni Publication: "Analyzing Air Connectivity, Air Diplomacy, and National Security in Sri Lanka-India Relations" by Charani Patabendige
The Sri Lanka Air Force recently published NESA Center alumnaCharani Patabendige's paper, "Analyzing Air Connectivity, Air Diplomacy, and National Security in Sri Lanka-India Relations," in itsJournal of Colombo Air Symposium 2023. Abstract: Indo-Sri Lanka relationships date back to time...