Based at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., the NESA Center is the preeminent U.S. Department of Defense institution for promoting security cooperation with partner countries in the NESA region.

Established in 2000 when the U.S. Department of Defense recognized the need for an organization dedicated to the challenging region extending from North Africa across the Arabian Peninsula and into South Asia, the NESA Center works to enhance security cooperation between the U.S. and the Near East and South Asia by providing a collaborative space for policymakers to build security strategy and cultivate partnerships.

The NESA Center has the unique ability to leverage the collaborative interests and knowledge of U.S. military organizations including U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), U.S. Army Central (ARCENT), the Joint Staff, as well as the U.S. Department of State, to render specialized conferences, seminars, workshops, and Track II diplomatic efforts.

The NESA Center boasts an alumni network of more than 14,000 security professionals from over 140 countries spanning the NESA region and beyond. With the efforts of our partners, program participants, and alumni, foreign policy communities around the world are better equipped to provide answers and analysis towards some of the toughest security challenges impacting our world.