The Hamas – Israel Conflict: Forming A Potential “New Normal”

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: LTC Kashif Ehtisham, Pakistan Army (CSAG/CCJ5);CDR Hubert Mroz, Poland Navy (CSAG/CCJ5); and MAJ Ibrahim Elveren, Turkish Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 29 January 2024   Overview: The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October has affected not only the political and security dynamics in the ME region but also the world at large.  This Read More >

Lebanon: A Potential Game Changer in the CENTCOM AOR

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: LTC GIAMPIERO CURRADO, ITA Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 16 January 2024   Overview: Years of political instability in combination with an ongoing economic crisis — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion in the Port of Beirut in August 2020 — have brought the country close to collapse. Moreover, the current institutional vacuum Read More >

Is CENTCOM Prescribing the ‘Suitable Medicine’ to Deter Iran?

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Lt Col Kashif Ehtisham, Pakistan Army (CSAG/CCJ5)   29 September 2023 Subject: Is CENTCOM Prescribing the ‘Suitable Medicine’ to Deter Iran? Purpose: To present CSAG analysis of the recent deployment of additional US troops and assets in the Middle East (ME) to deter Iran, within the context of the current strategic Read More >

Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age”

From 11–15 September 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted a Combating Transnational Threats Senior Executive Seminar (CTSES) titled “Emerging Security Platforms in the Digital Age,” held in Washington, D.C.   The CTSES five-day seminar engaged 32 participants from 22 countries. Thirteen sessions began with speakers, followed by question-and-answer sessions with participants Read More >

Chinese-brokered Iran-KSA Détente, “A Game-Changer or a Mirage?”

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC Kashif Ehtisham, PAK Army (CSAG/CCJ5) and LTC René Berendsen, NLD Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 12 September 2023 Subject: Chinese-brokered Iran-KSA Détente, “A Game-Changer or a Mirage?” Purpose: To present CSAG’s analysis of the recent rapprochement between Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) brokered by China. Read the complete paper here.   Read More >

Deir ez-Zor: Critical Juncture in the Process Towards Syria’s Normalization

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Lt Col Richard Pecinka, CZE AF (CSAG/CCJ5), LTC René Berendsen, NLD Army (CSAG/CCJ5), and MAJ Felix Badut, ROU Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 12 September 2023 Subject: Deir ez-Zor: Critical Juncture in the Process Towards Syria’s Normalization Purpose: To present CSAG’s analysis of the strategic significance of Deir ez-Zor in shaping the future of Read More >

The Quran Desecration and its Implications – Perspectives of Partners

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC Kashif Ehtisham, PAK Army (CSAG/CCJ5), MAJ Ibrahim Elveren, TUR Army (CSAG/CCJ5), and COL Mohammed Sayed, EGY Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 2 August 2023 Subject: The Quran Desecration and its Implications – Perspectives of Partners Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding the current incidents of Quran burning, why it Read More >

2023 Eastern Mediterranean Security Roundtable

The Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM), a leading Turkish think tank, held a roundtable discussion in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 17–19 July 2023. Scholars from Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye participated in the discussion. The agenda Read More >

Pirates of the Middle East Gulfs

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LCDR Stipe Skelin, Croatian Navy (CSAG/CCJ5) and LTC René Berendsen, NLD Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 18 July 2023 Subject: Pirates of the Middle East Gulfs Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding how Iran is using a calculated provocative approach, to enhance their bargaining power by creating leverage during negotiations, Read More >

The Hardest ‘Soft’ Approach on the Yemeni Crisis: An Opportunity to Retake the Initiative in the Middle East

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: MAJ Mihai-Florin GIRBOAN, ROU Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 29 June 2023   Overview: Armed conflicts, across human history, brought unquantifiable loss of fortune, lives, and cultural diversity, effectively stalling, nullifying, or even reversing civilization progress, in countless occasions.  This paper aims to clear the “fog of war” that is covering Yemen and the Read More >