China’s 20th National Congress

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Taewon Choi, LTC, Korean Army, CSAG/CCJ5 21 September 2022 Subject: Prospects of the 20th National Congress of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) scheduled on 16 Oct 2022. Purpose: Provide an overview and outlook for the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CCP. Read the complete paper here.   View other USCENTCOM Combined Strategic Analysis Read More >

The Middle East Game of Drones

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Mihai Girboan, Maj., ROU Army, CSAG/CCJ5 24 August 2022 Subject: The Middle East Game of Drones. Purpose: To identify the new tendencies in technology, proliferation, and commercialization of unmanned aerial vehicles, the strategic ties between actors, the “why and how” of the UAV use in USCENTCOM AOR and the consequences resulting from it, Read More >

Integrated Deterrence

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Jussi Puustinen, LTC, FIN Army, CSAG/CCJ5 & Richard Pečínka, Lt Col, CZE Air Force CSAG/CCJ5 17 August 2022 Subject: CSAG’s perspective on the concept of Integrated Deterrence. Purpose: To provide CSAG’s unvarnished opinion about the Integrated Deterrence Concept. This paper discusses general requirements for implementing the concept, challenges, opportunities, and provides opinions on Read More >

Iran’s Diplomacy Against the Backdrop of the Russian – Ukrainian War

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: LTC Andrea ZANINI, ITA A, Action Officer, CSAG CCJ5 6 October 2022   Overview: In Iran, the administration of President Ebrahim Raisi continues its strive for regional diplomacy, as tensions with the West over its nuclear program continue to build up. The conservative president came to power in August 2021 with Read More >

China’s Investments in Security Cooperation in the Middle East

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: MAJ Ibrahim ELVEREN, TUR ARMY, Action Officer, CSAG CCJ5 13 October 2022   Overview: Aiming to change the world order established by the USA, China has taken necessary steps to achieve this, especially since 2010. To understand China’s goals, we only need to look at the Chinese long-term timeline also shared Read More >

Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) A West’s Initiative to Uplift Developing Countries and Counter BRI

By: LTC Kashif Ehtisham, Pakistan Army, CSAG CCJ5 20 September 2022 Overview: The US and China, the two major strategic competitors, are seeking engagements to establish ‘economic partnerships’ aimed at attaining greater influence/ leverage over certain countries/ regions. There have been intense activities globally in recent times, encompassing economic, political, and diplomatic measures, affecting international Read More >

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Some of its Implications on the USCENTCOM’s AOR and Beyond

By: CDR Hubert MROZ, POL Navy, CSAG CCJ5 5 August 2022 Overview: In many ways, the world will no longer be the same as it was before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Paradoxically, the region where the effects of the war are most felt and capable of bringing about the greatest changes is not Europe, Read More >

UK Withdrawal in the 1970s and Reduction of US Military Footprint in 2021: A Comparison

By: LCDR Stipe Skelin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 22 June 2022 Overview: This document proposes through the study of a historical case – the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Middle East (ME) in the 1970s – to establish a comparison with the continuous reduction of the US footprint. The political, financial, and military Read More >

Kazakhstan’s Position in the War Between Russia and Ukraine

By: LTC Andrea ZANINI, ITA A, Action Officer, CSAG CCJ5 3 June 2022 Overview: On March 1, 2022, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took a stand on the conflict in Ukraine during the extraordinary Congress of the Amanat ruling party (via VTC): the priority in such a scenario is to guarantee the security of Kazakhstan. The Read More >

Pakistan’s Recent Diplomatic Efforts and Implications for Relations with the US

By: LTC Taewon Choi, ROK Army, CSAG CCJ5 18 May 2022 Overview: In 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of the state of Pakistan, clearly described the principles and objectives of Pakistan’s foreign policy in a broadcast message: “The foundation of our foreign policy is friendship with all nations across the globe.” In accordance with this, Read More >