By: LTC Andrea ZANINI, ITA A, Action Officer, CSAG CCJ5 26 Apr 2022 Overview: The US has always faced significant challenges in establishing their presence in Central Asia, which has traditionally been considered as an area of Russian security influence. The Kremlin’s strategy to maintain regional hegemony in its neighbourhood includes establishing close ties with Read More >
CENTCOM CSAG Papers
Is Egypt on the Way to Becoming a Regional Power?
By: LTC Ali Albedwawi, UAE MOD, CSAG CCJ5 25 Mar 2022 Overview: Egypt’s geopolitical importance lies in being open to different geopolitical dimensions at the same time. It overlooks the North African region from the east, connects to the African depth from the north, Sinai allows it to connect with the Middle East and the Read More >
The January Crisis in Kazakhstan?
By: CDR Hubert MROZ, POL Navy, CSAG CCJ5 24 Feb 2022 Overview: On January 2, 2002, people took to the streets to protest high fuel prices in Zhanaozen and Aktau, major cities in the Mangystau region of western Kazakhstan. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) doubled its price from an equivalent of 11 to 23 cents (USD). Read More >
Does the Appetite to End the Conflict in Yemen Exist?
By: LTC Madalin Iordache, ROU Army, CSAG CCJ5 09 Feb 2022 Introduction: On September 24th, 2014, the Houthis rebels, endorsed by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and his loyalist forces, seized control of the historic Yemen capital Sana’a and overthrew the government of Abdo Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the president at the time. It is the Read More >
The Role of Kazakhstan in Strategic Competition?
By: CDR Hubert MROZ, POL Navy, CSAG CCJ5 25 Jan 2022 Introduction: Central Asia was once a geostrategic nexus during the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, when the British Empire and the Russian Empire were entangled in what was called “the Great Game” – a political and diplomatic confrontation over regional leverages. Read More >
Russia’s Strategic Communications on an Iran Nuclear Agreement?
By: LTC Jussi Puustinen, FIN Army, CSAG CCJ5 21 Jan 2022 Background: Russia has been very consistent about its messaging on the possibility of the re-establishment of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions (JCPOA). Russia is supporting narrative about Iran’s willingness to return to the nuclear deal. In this case, Russia uncommonly shares the views Read More >
ISKP Re-Emergence and New Threat?
LTC Jussi Puustinen, FIN Army, CSAG CCJ5 11 Jan 2022 Introduction: The origins of ISKP are in the chaos and turmoil of the last decade’s situation in Afghanistan and (western fought) wars in the Middle East. ISIS/Daesh affiliate ISKP (The Islamic State Khorasan Providence, also known with acronyms ISIS-K, IS-K, ISK) was fought against and Read More >
Will a Likely Future JCPOA be already worthless Because of Iran’s Nuclear Stockpiles?
By: LTC Arjen Wassink, NLD Army, CSAG CCJ5 29 Nov 2021 Introduction: The common perception of Iran’s threat is through its regional deployment and use of proxies, its tactical ballistic missiles, and the progressive enrichment of uranium to build a nuclear weapon. While it is possible that the US will return to the Joint Comprehensive Read More >
A Diplomatic, Military, and Economic Review for Bahrain, 12 Months into the Abraham Accords
By: Colonel Ahmed Morsy, Egyptian Armed Forces, CSAG CCJ5 16 Nov 2021 Background: Bahrain’s geographical location and geopolitical importance places the Kingdom in a prominent position. At times, Iran claims sovereignty over Bahrain and produces historical references to it. Bahrain was under Persian rule from 1602-1783, following an 80-year Portuguese occupation. In 1799, the House Read More >
Lessons Learned from the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan War over Nagorno-Karabakh
By: LTC Maciej Zaborowski, POL AF, CSAG CCJ5 05 Nov 2021 Introduction: The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the autumn of 2020 gained the attention of the international community. The conflict has long been considered, albeit wrongly, a frozen one by a majority of Western experts. However, the outcomes of the war were misguided Read More >