News Posts - Defense Security Cooperation University

Kudos to ISG Africa Regional Program Lead, Dr. Whitney Grespin, whose journal article was published in the world’s leading journals of international relations, International Affairs. The May issue features a variety of articles surrounding legitimizing International Organizations. Dr. Grespin reviews two books – Illicit money: financing terrorism in the twenty-first century, by Jessica Davis, and Blood money: how criminals, militias, rebels, and warlords finance violence, by Margaret Sankey. The full review can be found here.

ISG recently concluded the Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Relief course which develops a comprehensive understanding of how national governments organize and use their armed forces to support domestic and international disaster response operations. 

The course emphasizes cross-community understanding and communication skills that improve the ways that armed forces, government civilian agencies, and non- and inter-governmental organizations can work more effectively alongside one another in disaster relief.

Congratulations to ISG’s Jennifer Grigsby for being honored by her local Chamber of Commerce as a Woman of Distinction! Presented by the Somerset Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce on “Mid-Mornings with Amy Stroud,” WYKY Somerset 106.1 FM, Ms. Grigsby was nominated by her local community in recognition of Women's History Month.  

Ms. Jennifer Grigsby serves as a member of the Regional Advising team at the Institute for Security Governance with responsibilities to facilitate, develop, execute and monitor institutional capacity building efforts and enable Partner Nations to develop effective and accountable defense and security institutions.

The Institute for Security Governance recently worked with U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet and the navies and coast guards from over 30 countries to redesign the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training multilateral training exercise.

Going forward, this exercise will incorporate a biannual Indo-Pacific Regional Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Information Sharing (IS) Forum focused on meeting the Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) objectives of regional Significant Security Cooperation Initiatives.

ISG efforts to build partner capacity with regard to MDA and IS are intended to contribute to regional security and to facilitate multilateral coordination through a rules-based international order.

ISG recently conducted engagements alongside U.S. Embassy Praia’s Office of Security Cooperation with Deputy Director Cabo Verde National Maritime Operations Center (COSMAR), the Director of Cabo Verde Defense Force Personnel Command, leadership of the Escola Militar, and the Commandant and Staff of the 3rd Military Region Base. The scoping visit included the assessment of the institutional capacity building needs in support of upcoming AFRICOM Significant Security Cooperation Initiatives.

Kudos to ISG’s Acting Senior Principal for Regional Advising, Scott Woodruff Lyons, for his recent publication in International Legal Materials (Vol 62, Issue 1, Feb 2023) on “Hossou v. Benin (Judgment on Jurisdiction)”. The article examines the case of Hossou v. Benin, which was heard by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, concerning jurisdictional issues related to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The article provides an insightful analysis of the judgment and its implications for the interpretation of the African Charter and the jurisdiction of the African Court. 

Announcing PART 2 of the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) School Podcast with ISG Europe Regional Program Lead Sandra Kelly O'Hern. 

In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel O'Hern joins Major Laura Quaco and Dr. Andy Akin for a continuing conversation that pivots from Russian history and the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, to a more focused conversation on Russian malign legal operations. 

Apple Podcast Link

Spotify Podcast Link

ISG Peacekeeping Operations Support Activities in Ghana: ISG recently delivered a mission specific United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) at Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana. This training event was sponsored by the United States Africa Command and U.S. State Department’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program in support of United Nations Peacekeeping operations worldwide. Field Grade Officers from Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania Togo, and Zambia and prepared the participants to serve as Staff Officers in UN Force and Sector headquarters Staffs.

ISG Turns Four! Today we celebrate this milestone with this brief snapshot of ISG’s FY22 accomplishments in the pursuit of advancing Security Cooperation. Click here to view the ISG Turns Four Infographic.

ISG Peacekeeping Operations Support Activities in Nepal: ISG recently delivered a United Nations Military Peacekeeping Intelligence (UNMPKI) Course at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center (BPOTC), Panchkhal, Nepal. This training event was sponsored by the United States Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. State Department’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program in support of United Nations Peacekeeping operations worldwide. The course consisted Field Grade Officers from Nepal, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Vietnam and prepared the participants to serve as Peacekeeping Intelligence Officers in UN Force and Sector headquarters Staffs. 

Job well done to Mr. Nicholas Tomb – ISG’s Security Governance Functional Lead and Women, Peace, and Security Functional Co-lead – for his March 2023 participation in a Women, Peace and Security (WPS) workshop organized by the Inter-American Defense College in Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. 

During the workshop, Mr. Tomb played a crucial role in supporting workshop design planning, facilitating three small group activities, and delivering a panel presentation titled, “Setting Conditions to Advance WPS Operationally & Institutionally: Beyond What—HOW.” 

The ISG Schoolhouse is in full swing! Among the many courses conducted this cycle was the International Defense Acquisition Negotiations course – the final in a series of three focused on Defense Acquisition and Resource Management.  

The negotiation course focuses on planning for and negotiating complex issues related to international defense contracts. Particular emphasis is placed on the strategies, techniques, and characteristics of good negotiators. Participants examine the protocols, processes, and challenges inherent in the contract negotiation process.

Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter highlighting our work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building as well as the people who contribute to this important mission.    

In this issue:    

• ISG reflects on the January ISG On-Site 
• Welcomes new Logistics Capability Building Functional Lead, David Shealy 
• Reports on Maritime Readiness in the Dominican Republic 
• Offers a standing ovation to Executive Administrative Specialist, Lisa Ruffoni 
• Highlights the most recent iteration of the “Fundamentals of Maritime Security” course 
• Spotlights a Philippine Alumnus of ISG Resident Education 
• Takes a look at the past 10 years of Peacekeeping & Exercises in Japan 
• Promotes the 2023-2024 Course Catalog 
• Provides exciting updates from ISG HQ 

ISG recently delivered a United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) at the Peace Support Operations Training Institute (IPSOTSL) in Kukeleganga, Sri Lanka. This training event was sponsored by the United States Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. State Department’s Global Peace Operations Initiative program in support of United Nations Peacekeeping operations worldwide. 

The course consisted of 38 Field Grade Officers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mongolia and Nepal and prepared the participants to serve as Staff Officers in UN Force and Sector headquarters Staffs. The event wrapped up with a three day exercise which enabled participants to demonstrate their new skills in an intensive simulated UN mission environment.

The Institute for Security Governance recently concluded a resident course in “Cybersecurity Policy & Practice” at ISG HQ in Monterey, California. This course explores policies and practices necessary to protect and defend the data, networks, systems, and platforms that are essential for military and security organizations, and that underpin economic, social, governmental, and political activity in society. 

Instructors highlight the importance of effective cybersecurity as a national security imperative and, introduce participants to cyber mission assurance, explore barriers to effective policy and practical implementation, and consider the latest practices and innovations for building cyber resilience.

Congratulations to ISG Europe Regional Program Lead Sandra O’Hern on her participation in an episode on the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School Podcast. In this episode Lieutenant Colonel O’Hern joins Major Laura Quaco and Dr. Andy Akin for a conversation about Russian history and the relationship between Russia and Ukraine leading up to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Stay tuned for the next episode to hear the remainder of the conversation in which the host and guests discuss operations and international legal principles related to Russia and the conflict. 

Apple Podcast Link
Spotify Podcast Link

The Institute for Security Governance recently facilitated a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) tabletop exercise in Palau with Palauan Inter-Agency representatives. The engagement, which also included Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Plans and Policy representatives, focused on a dynamic, scenario-driven event aimed at improving Palauan MDA capabilities and supporting advanced maritime security objectives.

Happy International Women’s Day!

On this International Women’s Day, ISG recognizes, values, and celebrates the achievements and contributions of the women we work with here at ISG HQ, in our nation’s capital, and around the world. 

Including women in decision-making processes yields more diverse perspectives on how to address national security challenges, resulting in more effective strategic and operational responses to those challenges.

ISG held a multinational staff officer course as part of Exercise Justified Accord 2023 (JA23) at the Humanitarian Peace Support School Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.  The course focused on African Union and United Nations peace keeping operations and offered instruction on humanitarian assistance principles and real world problem solving for situations such as Cholera outbreaks and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.  The course included over 100 participants from 17 partner nations and is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa.  

Read the full article here.

An ISG team recently had the pleasure of meeting with Polish Air Inspectorate partners, to include a  visit to the 2nd Tactical Air Wing at Krzesiny Air Base to learn more about current F-16 and future F-35 air operations. ISG looks forward to continued collaboration Poland as a key NATO partner and leader in regional air operations.

Institutional Capacity Building is a long-game. Ideally, ICB happens over many years and cultivates relationships with partners that have exponential impact. Today, ISG would like to showcase one example of those efforts with the recognition of Ms. Remy Antipoc who was recently awarded Armed Forces of the Philippines Defense Civilian Employee of the Year by President Marcos Jr. Ms. Antipoc is a 2019 graduate of ISG/IDARM's Defense Acquisition and Contract Management Course. She is now the Program Manager for the development and integration of the Philippine Navy's first Unmanned Aircraft Systems capability unit in addition to many other U.S.-funded programs.