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 >

The Soviet-sounding New Foreign Policy of Russia

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: CDR Hubert MRÓZ, POL NAVY (CSAG/CCJ5) 22 June 2023   Overview: On March 31, President Putin announced an updated concept of Russian foreign policy. The previous document has been in effect since November 30, 2016. The Russian government is adapting its foreign policy assumptions to the changed situation due to the ongoing Read More >

China and Russia Competition for Afghanistan

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: LTC GIAMPIERO CURRADO, ITA Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 21 June 2023 Subject: China and Russia – Competition for Afghanistan (AFG) Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present CSAG’s analysis of competition between Russia and China for agreements and strategies for the Central Asian Heartland. Read the complete paper here.   View Read More >

Pakistan: A Land of Dented Democracy and Increasing Polarization

NESA Center Alumni Publication Maida Farid (Consultant and an Independent Researcher) 22 June 2023 Pluralism is a key feature of democracy, that is often accompanied by tolerance. These ideas are intertwined, as a pluralistic society acknowledges and respects the diverse opinions, beliefs, and interests of its people. However, when pluralism lacks tolerance and regard for Read More >

Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon)

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: MAJ Ibrahim Elveren, Turkish Army (CSAG/CCJ5) and Lt Col Richard Pecinka, Czech AF (CSAG/CCJ5) 2 June 2023 Subject: Capt. America vs Capt. Agon (The Billion-Dollar Bargaining Chip for the Syrian Republic of Captagon) Purpose: This paper aims to present the CSAG’s analysis regarding how the Captagon drug industry in Syria affects Read More >

February–March 2023 NESA Center Update Report

View the NESA Center February–March 2023 Update focused on cyber Near East South Asia Region trends. The update also highlights February through March 2023 NESA Center programs and events, faculty and staff engagements, alumni contributions, and a calendar with upcoming events. February – March 2023 Cyber Trends: Pakistan continues to be in the eye of Read More >

NESA-AFRICOM 2023 Workshop Series and NESA Center Women, Peace, and Security E-Book Release

From 29 April – 6 May 2023, the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, in partnership with U.S. Africa Command, held three back-to-back workshop series in Bangkok, Thailand, for senior government and civilian security experts and a “whole of society” approach from 24 countries with a total of 53 female participants. The Read More >

CENTCOM Smart Power in The Middle East

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: LTC Hany Mohamed, EGY ARMY (CSAG/CCJ5) 12 May 2023   Overview: This year USCENTCOM celebrates the 40th anniversary of its establishment; one of its significant tasks is to achieve and enhance security and stability within its area of responsibility (AOR). USCENTCOM AOR includes 21 countries. The Middle East (ME) region is Read More >

Iran-KSA Peace Talks and its Implications for South Asia

CSAG INFORMATION PAPER By: Lt Col Kashif Ehtisham, Pakistan Army (CSAG/CCJ5) 28 April 2023 Subject: Iran-KSA peace talks and its implications for South Asia. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present the analysis of CSAG on consequences of the Iran-KSA peace talks for South Asia in order to draw pertinent conclusions for US Read More >

CSAG Strategy Paper: The Red Sea – Neglected Nexus

CSAG STRATEGY PAPER By: CDR Hubert Mróz, POL (CSAG/CCJ5) and MAJ Essa Almansoori, UAE (CSAG/CCJ5) 14 April  2023   Overview: The strategic importance of the Red Sea basin, together with the Suez Canal, is obvious. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe that the Red Sea region is a neglected nexus by the US, but not Read More >