By: LtCol Michael von Normann, DEU A, CSAG Middle East Branch 02 Mar 2021 Introduction: In his first foreign policy speech on February 4, 2021, President Biden announced the US would end its support for the Saudi-led coalition’s offensive operations in Yemen. The new policy laid out by the President also included the suspension of Read More >
Publications
The Implications of a US Withdrawal from Iraq for USCENTCOM Priorities and Great Power Competition
By: LTC Octavian Dorobantu, ROU Army, CSAG CCJ5 24 Feb 2021 Introduction: Due to economic changes and the loss of American popular support for long wars, the Trump Administration designed a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq. If the Biden Administration were to act along the same lines, a withdrawal could cause significant harm to Read More >
Post-Maximum Pressure Campaign Rapprochement with Iran
By: Lt Col Farhan Ali, Pakistan Army, CSAG CCJ5 19 Feb 2021 Introduction: The Trump Administration criticized President Obama’s Iran policy, particularly the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). President Trump described the JCPOA as a poorly conceived and one-sided agreement that disproportionally benefitted Iran and allowed it to continue its malign behavior in the Read More >
The Consequences of Israeli Intervention in Syria
By: LCDR Stipe Skin, HRV Navy, CSAG CCJ5 10 Feb 2021 Introduction: Over the last five years, Israel has conducted surgical airstrikes against high value targets in Syria. This component of its “war between wars” will soon be challenged by the fielding of Iranian and Russian air defense systems. The new air defense systems are Read More >
Blacklisting the Houthis: What is the Price – What is the Gain?
By LtCol Michael von Normann, German Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group, Middle East Branch 9 Feb 2021 Introduction: On December 30, 2020, three precision-guided missiles struck Aden Airport where a plane carrying Yemeni cabinet members had just landed. The strike killed twenty-seven people and wounded over 130. Read More >
Iran’s South Korea-Flagged Oil Tanker Seizure: What Does this Action Mean?
By Lieutenant Colonel Youngsuk Lee, Republic of Korea Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 8 Feb 2021 Introduction: On 5 January 2021, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the South Korea-flagged oil tanker M/T HANKUK CHEMI in the Strait of Hormuz. As a justification, Iran cited alleged Read More >
China’s Territorial Ambition in Central Asia
By MAJ Naoki Tajiri, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 4 Feb 2021 Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has restarted China’s revisionism along with their ambition of territorial expansion and accelerated their long-term plans. After World War II, China advanced westward and invaded Tibet in Read More >
Facilitating Stability in Afghanistan
By Lt Col Farhan Ali, Pakistan Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 3 Feb 2021 Introduction: Almost 20 years in, the Afghanistan war has entered a phase where the peace dividend outweighs the potential benefits of continued conflict. Major warring parties have reached a stalemate as NATO cannot Read More >
40 Years Later: The Role of Algerian Diplomacy During the Iran Hostage Crisis
NESA Center Alumni Publication By Dr. Arslan Chikhaoui Executive Chairman, Nord-Sud Ventures Consultancy Center 25 January 2021 – On January 20, 1981, an “Air Algérie” Aircraft landed on the tarmac at Algiers international airport, coming from Tehran, with 52 American diplomats on board, who had just been freed after 444 days of being held hostage Read More >
Impact of India-China Tensions in the CENTCOM AoR
By Lt Col Farhan Ali, Pakistan Army, US Central Command: Strategy Plans and Policy Directorate; Combined Strategic Analysis Group 25 Jan 2021 Introduction: Complex territorial disputes, economic competition, and broader geostrategic competition between India and China cause tensions along the world’s longest unsettled group of borders. The circa 3500 kilometer Indo-China border is divided Read More >