The NESA Center is a Department of Defense regional center geared toward international security cooperation in the Near East and South Asia (NESA). Our team leverages practitioner and academic experience to coordinate the sharing of regional and security expertise in the U.S. and abroad. Read More.
Who We Are
What We Do
We build international security cooperation with programs grounded in candid interaction in an academic environment. Program participants include defense professionals, diplomats, academics, and government and non-government stakeholders from the NESA region and elsewhere.
NESA Reports
Peruse our record of NESA activity reports, jump to our latest monthly report, or read our Annual Review.
Region News
Be the first to know. Stay updated on the Near East and South Asia with our news and social media feeds.
Executive Seminar
These flagship courses seek to stimulate dialogue on strategic issues affecting the Near East South Asia region among national security professionals. Topics include U.S. foreign policy; the current and future regional strategic issues; counterterrorism; the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and disaster management.
Senior Executive Seminar
Tailored to the needs of senior policymakers, and shorter than the executive seminar, this course brings general and flag level military officers and their civilian counterparts (ambassadors and assistant ministers) to Washington for workshops focusing on the key foreign policy issues currently facing the region.
Combating Transnational Threats
Designed for security practitioners, these seminars seek to build capacity and enhance regional partnerships. Key themes include defining transnational threats, regional terrorism, evaluation of regional and local responses, sharing of best practices, and strategies for cooperation.
Welcome Students
The Registrar’s office is the primary point of contact for all candidates for courses, conferences and seminars conducted by the NESA Center. Application and registration forms for these events, plus other academic activities, should be sent to the Registrar’s office.
Foreign Nationals
Invitations for NESA Center courses, conferences, and seminars are sent to the designated Federal Governments through official channels within the US Embassy in the nation’s capital or to the appropriate representative embassy … Read More
US Gov Military or CIV Employees
A limited number of slots are reserved in each seminar for U.S. Government officials. U.S. Government officials must provide a completed registration form, résumé …. Read More
Strategic Studies Network
An initiative of the NESA Center, the Strategic Studies Network (SSN) is a partnership of over seventy institutions dedicated to interdisciplinary study of politics, natural resources, economics, diplomacy, and military power. In order to help develop regional solutions to regional problems, the goal of SSN is to encourage think tanks in developing policy-relevant research with frank and informed dialogue on security challenges facing the region.
Parking & Fort McNair Access
NESA is located on the campus of National Defense University, in the 3rd floor of Lincoln Hall. NESA participants are provided transportation, but ample parking can be found in front of Lincoln Hall (Bldg 64) if needed. For individual entry onto Fort McNair without a military or federal employee ID, use the gate at 2nd & Q St SW and be sure to allow ample time for vehicle inspection. Details on getting to Fort McNair are available here.