Defense Media Network

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Today

An overview of security cooperation programs

Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA Center) – Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NESA Center’s mission is to build sustained, engaged communities of influence and partnership among security professionals and leaders in the region by:

  • enhancing security in the Near East and South Asia by building sustained, mutually beneficial relationships;
  • fostering regional cooperation on security issues; and
  • promoting effective communications and strategic capacity through free and candid interaction in an academic environment.

DoD funds and oversees the NESA Center, and DSCA acts as its executive agent. It also has close ties to the Department of State, thus giving participants in NESA Center programs an introduction to the thinking and operation at both departments as they learn the structure and functions of the U.S. government.

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and Near East South Asia Center (NESA) co-hosted a one-day seminar April 22, 2014, in Rabat, Morocco. The seminar, which brought together approximately 30 Moroccan alumni of the Africa Center, NESA, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, discussed border security challenges and opportunities. Africa Center for Strategic Studies photo

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) and Near East South Asia Center (NESA) co-hosted a one-day seminar April 22, 2014, in Rabat, Morocco. The seminar, which brought together approximately 30 Moroccan alumni of the Africa Center, NESA, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, discussed border security challenges and opportunities. Africa Center for Strategic Studies photo

In addition to its own components, DSCA works closely with a number of other DoD and U.S. government agencies, including but not limited to those listed here:

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy – DSCA is under the authority, direction, and control of the USD(P). The Director, DSCA, is appointed by and reports to the USD(P). The USD(P) provides responsive, forward-thinking, and insightful policy advice and support to the SECDEF, and the DoD, in alignment with national security objectives. Key Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASDs) under the USD(P) involved in SC include:

  • ASD for International Security Affairs (ISA). The ASD/ISA serves as the principal advisor to the USD(P) and SECDEF on international security strategy and policy issues related to the nations and international organizations of Europe (including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the Middle East, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. The office also has oversight for security cooperation programs, including FMS, in these regions.
  • ASD for Homeland Defense and Americas’ Security Affairs (HDAS). The ASD/HDAS is the principal advisor to the USD(P) on the homeland defense activities and regional security matters for the countries of the Western Hemisphere. The office is also responsible for advising SECDEF on all matters pertaining from defense support to civil and law enforcement authorities in the homeland.
  • ASD for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC). SO/LIC is responsible for the overall supervision, to include oversight of policy and resources, of special operations, and low-intensity conflict activities. SO/LIC also oversees the DoD counter-narcotics program, building partnership capacity initiatives and humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
  • ASD for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (APSA). APSA is the principal advisor to USD(P) and the SECDEF on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest that relate to the nations and international organizations of the Asia-Pacific, its governments and defense establishments, and for oversight of SC programs, including FMS, in the region.

Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA) – DTSA administers the development and implementation of DoD technology security policies on international transfers of defense-related goods, services, and technologies. It ensures that critical U.S. military technological advantages are preserved, transfers that could prove detrimental to U.S. security interests are controlled and limited, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery is prevented, diversion of defense-related goods to terrorists is prevented, military interoperability with foreign allies and friends is supported, and the health of the U.S. defense industrial base is assured.

Navy International Programs Office (NIPO) – NIPO manages and implements international SA programs, cooperative development programs, and technology security policy for the Department of the Navy. As a reporting unit to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, it supports the efforts of regional CCMDs and Navy leadership in building vigorous relationships with U.S. maritime security partners around the world.

NIPO teams with a wide network of U.S. defense industry and security community product and service providers, program managers, policy makers, and technical and regulatory agencies to support the defense requirements of friends, allies, and coalition partners by:

  • interacting with foreign defense establishments;
  • building defense relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests;
  • developing allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and
  • providing U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to a host nation.

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J.R. Wilson has been a full-time freelance writer, focusing primarily on aerospace, defense and high...