Institute for Global Security & Defense Affairs

The Institute for Global Security & Defense Affairs (IGSDA) is a nonprofit online think tank founded in June 2016 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It specializes in global, international, regional, national, and internal security research, producing political and defense-related studies, analyses, and solutions. The institute is led by strategic expert and retired Major General Dr. Sayed Ghoneim, who serves as its president. IGSDA's team comprises experts and support staff with diverse backgrounds in security, defense, geostrategy, politics, economics, and academia, most holding PhDs or master's degrees. The think tank publishes its outputs primarily in English, French, and Arabic, with additional languages including Japanese and Korean. Its motto is "Knowledge, Facts, Thinking." IGSDA organizes and participates in international conferences, workshops, and seminars, and has partnered with institutions such as the University of Tokyo's ROLES laboratory and Egypt's Future University. Its analyses have been cited by U.S. Air Force intelligence bulletins and Newsweek. The institute maintains an active online presence through its website, offering free and commissioned research to readers worldwide.

The Institute for Global Security & Defense Affairs (IGSDA) was founded in June 2016 as a nonprofit online think tank dedicated to global, international, regional, national, and internal security research. Its first team event took place in September 2016 in Taiwan, marking the institute's international debut. The founding conference and first international event were held in Taipei, Taiwan, in September 2016, focusing on regional security issues in the Middle East and their intersections with global security and defense cooperation, with the participation of international military experts from NATO. Since then, IGSDA has established and joined several events at the University of Tokyo, the Defense University of Taiwan, and other institutions. The institute is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and is led by strategic expert and retired Major General Dr. Sayed Ghoneim. Over the years, IGSDA has built a team of experts with diverse backgrounds in security, defense, geostrategy, politics, economics, and academia, most holding advanced degrees. The think tank publishes its research in multiple languages, including English, French, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean. It has organized seminars, training courses, and discussion panels on economic, cyber, health, and political security. Notable partnerships include a collaboration with the Research Laboratory of Emerging Strategies (ROLES) at the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, with a joint workshop in May 2026 to discuss the implications of conflicts in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, and the role of AI and defense industries in shaping alliances. IGSDA also cooperates with regional universities such as Future University in Egypt (FUE). Its analyses have been cited by U.S. Air Force intelligence bulletins, such as the "Gryphon Growl" newsletter from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and by Newsweek magazine, particularly regarding Egypt's interest in acquiring the Chinese J-35 stealth fighter. The institute's work is also indexed on academic platforms like Academia.edu and Semantic Scholar.

• Founded in June 2016 as a nonprofit online think tank.

• First team event held in September 2016 in Taiwan.

• Founding conference and first international event in Taipei, Taiwan, September 2016.

• Joint workshop with ROLES at University of Tokyo in May 2026.

Nonprofit think tank providing strategic security and defense analysis for decision-makers and researchers.

• War on Iran series

  A series of studies and assessments on the conflict with Iran.

• Hormuz analysis

  Reports on the Strait of Hormuz and regional security.

• US-Iran memorandum analysis

  Analysis of diplomatic memoranda between the US and Iran.

1. 1Home - IGSDAigsda.org
2. 2About us - IGSDAigsda.org
3. 3Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4معهد شؤون الأمن العالمي والدفاعar.wikipedia.org