In early December, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Institute for Security Governance (ISG), at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) workshop with Papua New Guinea’s government ministries and agencies. The workshop aimed to promote a cohesive approach to maritime governance and enhance the country’s ability to respond to sea-based challenges.

ARLINGTON, January 5, 2025 — In Dec. 2024, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Defense SCO Institute (DSI) graduated the first 16 Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qualification Course students Dec. 6, 2024. This eight-week course, the first of its kind wholly taught in the National Capital Region (NCR), offered new educational opportunities targeted toward preparation for SCO activities such as strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and improving agility needed to keep up with the pace of the evolving field of security cooperation.

The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Institutional Capacity Building Team – Tbilisi, Georgia was honored with the 2024 Secretary of Defense Sustainment Training, Advice, and Assistance of Foreign Military Forces Award in the Ministerial Category on Dec. 11, 2024. This recognition is the result of a dynamic team effort between DSCU’s team of Institute for Security Governance (ISG) Regional Advisors and the Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) team in Tbilisi.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded a four-part Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) workshop series in Mogadishu, Somalia that focused on Human Resources Management, Logistics, and Civil-Military Relations. ISG engaged with Somali Ministry of Defense and Somali National Armed Forces personnel via interactive exercises to share knowledge, gain insights on challenges, and inform capacity development priorities to advance MoD and SNAF force management capabilities.

Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter that shines a spotlight on the Institute for Security Governance's work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building, and showcases the dedicated individuals behind these important initiatives.

In Nov. 2024, the Slovak Republic's Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance co-hosted the 2nd Annual Regional Air Operations Workshop in Bratislava, advancing efforts to integrate multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) across allied and partner forces.

A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with members of their military as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

In early October, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) partnered with the Escola Superior de Defesa (ESD) in Brasilia, Brazil to support the conduct of a defense management and planning course. This engagement marks another milestone in our shared mission of advancing sustainable capacity building.

The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) is at the forefront of addressing emerging security threats, including the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. ISG's Emergency Management and Resilience Functional Area has expanded to include course offerings on Climate and Environmental Security. This new focus area, which is spearheaded by Ms. Ashley Woodson, ISG Climate Security Lead, has already made significant strides, including deploying two Mobile Education Teams (METs) to the Western Hemisphere in the fall of 2024. 

The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently completed the latest iteration of its International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) resident course offerings, Principles of Defense Acquisition and Contract Management. This course, conducted with English/Spanish simultaneous interpretation, focused on the unique challenges and opportunities within the Latin American context. It took place at the ISG headquarters in Monterey, California.

The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) is pleased to invite submissions to the 2025 Security Cooperation Conference, which will be held in late October 2025 in the National Capital Region. The theme of the 2025 conference is “Learning from the Past to Shape the Future.”

Congratulations to the latest cohort of participants of the Institute for Security Governance's (ISG) United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders (PKOCC) course.

A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University's Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Thailand. The DIILS team met with maritime security professionals from the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordination Center (Thai MECC) as part of an ongoing maritime security cooperation effort.

Romania has completed the first year of a five-year bilateral Security Cooperation program designed to enhance capacity to meet NATO Resilience Baseline Requirements. This initiative, supported by U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG), focuses on strengthening resilience and crisis management capabilities.

A team from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Latvia to conduct an executive seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of their military.

A Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) faculty team recently delivered a one-week Mobile International Defense Management Course (MIDMC) for approximately 30 military officials representing the Argentinian Armed Forces. The MIDMC was the fourth iteration of the course in Argentina and was the result of a combined effort of representatives from the Ministry of Defense of Argentina and the U.S. Embassy, Office of Defense Cooperation.

Congratulations to the latest cohort of participants of the Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) Women, Leadership, and National Defense course. This course supports the U.S. Department of Defense Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Strategic Framework Implementation Plan and the United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1325 agenda.

The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently marked its 30th anniversary celebrating three decades of dedication to strengthening international partnerships through education, training, and Institutional Capacity Building (ICB). Established to support U.S. Security Cooperation, ISG has evolved into an institution focused on fostering sustainable defense partnerships worldwide.