Areas of Expertise - Washington Institute For Defence & Security

06 Mar 25

The US-Saudi partnership to address security issues in the Middle East

On February 24th, 2025, US and Saudi Arabian representatives met. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Khalid bin Salman focused on counter-terrorism strategies for the Middle East region. The two countries are together determined to maintain regional stability. Hegseth reflected on the Saudi-US historical alliance, particularly under Trump’s […]

01 Mar 25

How Trump’s return will impact ‌Bangladesh’s economy and security

The prospect of Trump’s second term has revived debates on his global impact, especially on trade, defense, immigration, and geopolitics. As a South Asian country with a key location, Bangladesh must carefully consider these changes and manage its bilateral relationship with the US proactively. Under the “America First” concept, Trump’s first term (2017–2021) instituted a […]

19 Feb 25

Iran’s counter-narrative: Reframing its role in Syria amid US accusations

Iranian UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani strongly denied accusations by the US that Iran was backing terrorist movements and undermining Syrian sovereignty on 12 February 2025. The ministry said that while the US was following the approach, it also called for negotiating with Iran about the nuclear program, contrary to Washington’s speeches. Iran insists that […]

30 Jan 25

Trump’s aid freeze threatens US security and global influence

This week’s “stop work” order on all ongoing US foreign aid may prove to be a mistake for the Trump administration. This decision’s wide-ranging effects are likely to obstruct the incoming White House, Department of State, and Department of Defense leadership’s national security priorities. These priorities include counternarcotics programs, anti-trafficking initiatives, and security sector support […]

26 Jan 25

The DOD Women, Peace, and Security plan: Goals and challenges

The Department of Defense (DOD), under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017, is working to increase women’s participation in peace and security processes and integrate gender considerations into national security and US foreign policy decisions. These efforts focus on strengthening deterrence and campaigning, reinforcing alliances and partnerships, and developing a more capable, […]

18 Nov 24

Viktor Bout’s dangerous comeback: A new challenge for global security

One of the famous Russian arms dealers has returned to the world of weapons after being in prison in the United States. He was arrested on ‌charges of terrorism, but now the Biden-Harris administration has signed the order for his release. Now he is back in Russia and is selling weapons to different terrorist groups, […]

11 Nov 24

What are the challenges and changes occur in US defense industry

In April 2022, Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, raised serious concerns about the United State defense industry. The competition in the defense industry is decreasing with the passage of time. One of the reports from February 2022, highlighted that the number of defense contractors had dropped. Due to the year of the merger, the […]

11 Nov 24

Cybercrime and terrorism: How BRICS nations can unite for enhanced security

In this modern age dependence on the information technology of different infrastructures and services increases the risks of various threats. One of the major risks is the increasing threat of cybercrime. Due to the lack of Information and communication technology(ICT), the military system faces many disadvantages. The government now faces many challenges to fight against […]

11 Nov 24

Trump’s Global Strategy: Is It Leading to Peace or Conflict?

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2024 could signal a shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in how the U.S. interacts with global powers and seeks to address conflicts worldwide. Trump’s previous administration was marked by an “America First” doctrine, emphasizing strength, bilateral deals, and a departure from multilateral commitments. As […]

11 Nov 24

US Pursues Collaborative Strategy to Combat Transnational Criminal Networks

The United States has increasingly focused its efforts on combating transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) through collaborative international strategies. These networks, which span across borders and engage in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering, pose significant challenges to global security and stability. To address these growing threats, the U.S. government has […]