By: LTC Marco Pranzo, ITA Army, CSAG CCJ5 16 July 2021 Introduction: From the Middle East to North Africa via the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey is trying to assert its influence in a region undergoing profound reorganization, and which is still highly unstable. Driven both by the ambition to become a regional power, and by specific Read More >
Silk Road Future Leader’s Seminar: Strategic Leadership for Regional Security
On 25 May 2021, the NESA Center hosted an informative one-day Silk Road Future Leader’s Seminar focused on the theme, “Strategic Leadership for Regional Security.” The virtual seminar welcomed diplomats and military officers from NESA countries across Central Asia and South Asia, including Tajikistan, India, Nepal, and Kazakhstan. The Silk Road Future Leader’s Seminar was Read More >
Turkey and Iran Geopolitical Approaches in the Middle East
By: COL Saud Alhasawi, Kuwait Army, CSAG CCJ5 16 July 2021 Introduction: Historically, Turkish-Iranian relations were characterized as a mix of both cooperation and competition. Each of the two has its own agenda and regionally projects power with ambitions towards sovereignty and control. The worsening of the Middle East’s regional situation has provided an opportunity Read More >
Air War College Virtual Visit
On 21 June 2021, the NESA Center virtually hosted the Air War College. NESA professors, Dr. Gawdat Bahgat and Dr. Hassan Abbas, discussed security challenges in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asia. Dr. Anouar Boukhars from the Africa Center for Security Studies (ACSS) addressed recent development in Africa and Dr. Boris Saavedra from Read More >
Strategic Competition in the Western Indian Ocean Region – Crowded Waters in the Western IOR
From 28 to 30 June 2021, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies hosted an event as part of its Indian Ocean Region focused series of engagements. This event centered on exploring strategic competition and its impact throughout the larger Western Indian Ocean Region. Specific themes of the event included the regional Read More >
The Geopolitical Implications of Returning to the JCPOA
By: LTC Sami Alshehri, Saudi Arabian Military, CCJ5 CSAG 15 July 2021 Introduction: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a detailed agreement reached between Iran, and the UN Security Council’s five permanent members (US, Russia, the UK, China, France), plus Germany (together the “P5+1”). The agreement was reached on July 14, 2015, and Read More >
NESA Center-Central Command Conference
From 22 – 23 June 2021, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, along with United States Central Command (CENTCOM), conducted a conference titled “State-of-Play in and Around Iran” that explored Iran’s domestic issues and challenges. The seminar had several panels focusing on; economy and military spending, political factions in Iran, defense Read More >
NESA IOR Digital Series with Professor Shahab Enam Khan
12 July 2021 – In the newest iteration of the NESA Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Digital Series, NESA Professor Jeffrey Payne is joined by Professor Shahab Enam Khan to discuss the emergence of Bangladesh as a middle power in the IOR. The conversation covers not only how states like Bangladesh navigate competition among larger powers, Read More >
Impact of Turkey’s Space Program on the Security Environment in CENTCOM’s AOR
By: CDR Azamat Murzabekov, Kazakhstan Armed Forces, CSAG CCJ5 13 July 2021 Introduction: Over the last decade, Turkey has invested in its space ambitions, resulting in the strengthening of its space-related know-how and strengthening its position within the global arena. In 2011, RASAT, and 2012, Gokturk 2, were launched into orbit. The two Earth Observation Read More >
Are We Facing a Shift in KSA-US Relations or is it Only a Temporary Weakening?
By: LTC Dusan Borak, CZE Air Force, CSAG CCJ5 13 July 2021 Introduction: Despite all the ideological differences between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA or the Kingdom), their partnership has so far been considered very strong, even though it was not based on a common foundation. The stopping support for Read More >