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NSFA

The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs

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A photo of Krista Wiegand speaking
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About NSFA

The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) is a research center that provides critical insights on national and international security challenges and foreign policy solutions through policy-relevant research, education, and engagement with a global perspective. NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates conduct research and publish policy briefs, reports, articles, and books that inform security and foreign affairs policy on topics of expertise:

  • International and civil conflict, political violence
  • Territorial & maritime security & disputes
  • Indo-Pacific security & economic relations, with a focus on Japan
  • Gray zone warfare, disinformation, & influence campaigns
  • U.S. national security strategies
  • Nuclear policy and nuclear security

NSFA also leads dialogues to build a deeper understanding of these critical issues by regularly engaging the university community, scholars, the media, and the general public on national security and foreign affairs issues through talks given by prominent officials and scholars, roundtables, and workshops. A number of sponsored events focus on the U.S. relationship with Japan, acknowledging the military and diplomatic legacy of U.S. Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., a World War II Navy veteran and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, for whom the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs is named.

The Baker School of Public Policy prepares students for careers in public service through a combination of coursework and real-world experiences. Baker students interested in national security and foreign affairs have opportunities for real-world project assignments with the U.S. Department of State, immersive international travel experiences such as the Japan Ambassadors Program, Baker Scholars, involving a senior thesis on national security or foreign affairs, and student research experience. At the graduate level, students are integrated into a broader academic community through research projects with faculty, and the opportunity to network with visiting scholars and other experts.

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PEOPLE

NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates provide critical insights on national and international security and foreign policy solutions through policy-relevant research, education, and engagement with a global perspective.

NSFA Faculty & Experts

Japan Ambassadors

The Japan Ambassadors program is a 12-day international immersive experience in Japan. Students follow in the footsteps of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard H. Baker Jr to learn about Japanese culture, politics, history, and U.S.-Japan relations.

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RESEARCH

NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates conduct research on a wide range of topics: international and civil wars; conflict resolution; territorial and maritime disputes, piracy and maritime security; terrorism; foreign policy; hybrid warfare; human rights; economic security; and nuclear security and nonproliferation. Geographically, NSFA specializes in Indo-Pacific security, with a particular focus on U.S.-Japan relations. NSFA’s research has been supported by foundations and federal grants and contracts.

Indo-Pacific Security Maritime Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Terrorism Nuclear Security Recent Books

Policy Reports & Papers: Indo-Pacific Security

  • Cheap Talk or Serious Resolve? Chinese and US policies on the East and South China SeasAugust 9, 2023
  • Incursions, Innocent Passage, or Costly Signals: Chinese Activity in the East China SeaAugust 9, 2023
  • How Biden Should Handle the South China Sea DisputesAugust 9, 2023
  • Costs of South Korea’s Shifts in Foreign Policy in the Increasing U.S. – China RivalryAugust 9, 2023

All Indo-Pacific Security Research Maritime Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Terrorism Nuclear Security Recent Books

Policy Reports & Papers: Maritime Security

  • Piracy is on the rise, and coronavirus could make it worseAugust 9, 2023
  • Terrorists Target Civilians to Provoke Government OverreactionAugust 9, 2023
  • Capacity Building Must be a Focus as Sea Piracy ExpandsAugust 9, 2023
  • How History Predicts COVID-19’s Impact on Maritime Piracy, and What America Can do to HelpAugust 9, 2023

All Maritime Security Research Indo-Pacific Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Terrorism Nuclear Security Recent Books

Policy Reports & Papers: Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict

  • Post-Conflict Justice in EthiopiaAugust 9, 2023
  • Third Party Intervention and Ongoing Civil Wars in SyriaJuly 7, 2023
  • Recent Developments in the Kurdish Independence Movement in IraqJuly 7, 2023
  • Indian Muslims in the Crosshairs: The BJP and Its Anti-Beef CrusadeSeptember 1, 2018

All Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Research Indo-Pacific Security Maritime Security Terrorism Nuclear Security Recent Books

Policy Reports & Papers: Terrorism

  • The Strategic Importance of Kenya in the Fight Against Terrorism in the Horn of Africa — Evaluating Counterrorism Measures in KenyaMarch 1, 2018
  • “Lawnmowers in the Sky”: The Turbulent Past and Uncertain Future of Drone WarfareMarch 1, 2017

All Terrorism Research Indo-Pacific Security Maritime Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Nuclear Security Recent Books

Policy Reports & Papers: Nuclear Security

  • Who Would Trust a Nuclear Umbrella? An Original Survey Gauging Public Confidence in Future Nuclear Guarantees in MoroccoAugust 9, 2023
  • Tracking China and Russia’s Nuclear Diplomacy Activities in AfricaJuly 7, 2023
  • The Risks of Nuclear Facility IncidentsJuly 7, 2023
  • The Consequences of Nuclear Facility IncidentsJuly 7, 2023

All Nuclear Security Research Indo-Pacific Security Maritime Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Terrorism Recent Books

Recent Books By Faculty, Fellows, and Affiliates

  • The book cover for Peaceful Resolutions
    Emilia J. Powell and Krista E. Wiegand, The Peaceful Resolution of Territorial and Maritime Disputes, Oxford University Press, 2023June 9, 2023
  • An image of the book jacket for Ursula Daxecker and Brandon Prins, Pirate Lands: Governance and Maritime Piracy, Oxford University Press, 2021
    Ursula Daxecker and Brandon Prins, Pirate Lands: Governance and Maritime Piracy, Oxford University Press, 2021February 18, 2021
  • An image of the cover o Finding Soldiers of Peace: Three Dilemmas for UN Peacekeeping Missions
    Gary Uzonyi, Finding Soldiers of Peace: Three Dilemmas for UN Peacekeeping Missions, Georgetown University Press, 2020March 1, 2020

Indo-Pacific Security Maritime Security Civil Wars & Ethnic Conflict Terrorism Nuclear Security


NSFA EVENTS

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NATIONAL SECURITY and FOREIGN AFFAIRS FORUMS

In the 2023-2024 lecture series, faculty from across the UTK campus address various aspects of the challenging relationship between the U.S. and China.  

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NSFA NEWS

  • A photo of the word tariffs written on wooden blocks that sits about a map of the United States
    Muhammad Explores Tariff Implications for the US Distilled Spirits Sector March 18, 2025
  • ballistic missile launching from submarine
    Wiegand Receives Grant from the Stanton Foundation to Develop Nuclear Security CourseDecember 17, 2024
  • Suzzane Maloney, Bob Corker, and Krista Wiegand participate in a fireside chat at the University of Tennessee.
    Baker School and Brookings Institution Discuss Foreign Affairs with Bob CorkerNovember 8, 2024
  • U.S. Japan Diplomacy Academy
    NSFA’s U.S.-Japan Diplomacy Academy Fulfills State Department’s Grant Request November 6, 2024
  • Krista Wiegand and Moe Khaleel sign MOU between Baker School and ORNL.
    MOU Between Baker School & ORNL Paves Way for CollaborationSeptember 25, 2024
  • Elis Vllasi presenting at the Baker School to students
    Foreign Affairs Forum Recap: The Dangers of Modern-Day Disinformation and Propaganda September 16, 2024
  • Japan Ambassadors Trip Group Shot
    UT Students Experience Japanese Culture and Foreign Policy on Japan Ambassadors TripSeptember 12, 2024
  • Graduate Assistant Aom Boon at her internship at the East-West Center.
    Boon and Scott Embark on Prestigious Summer InternshipsJune 5, 2024
  • NSFA Logo
    NSFA Award Grant by U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy-Tokyo, and U.S. Consulate General-SapporoMay 16, 2024
  • Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs Sign with students walking in background.
    Baker School Launches Certificate ProgramsMay 15, 2024
  • Dr. Thomas Goldsby headshot
    Recap: U.S. Companies Operating in China: The Debate about “Friendshoring”April 18, 2024
  • Ambassador Randt gives a lecture at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs.
    Recap: Stabilizing U.S. – China Relations in a Time of Tensions April 3, 2024
  • Dr. Aaron Hoffman giving a lecture at the Baker School.
    Patterns of Language Use of The Terrorism News Beat with Dr. Aaron Hoffman April 3, 2024
  • Headshot of Scott Roecker, Vice President for the Nuclear Threat Initiative Nuclear Materials Security Program.
    Recap: Troubling Findings from the 2023 Nuclear Security Index with Scott Roecker April 3, 2024
  • Ukraine and Russia Flag at ta table with two sets of hands.
    The Conversation: A Western-imposed peace deal in Ukraine risks feeding Russia’s hunger for land – as it did with SerbiaJanuary 29, 2024
  • Recap: The Impact of U.S. Restrictions on High-Tech Trade with China on U.S. AlliesNovember 15, 2023
  • On Wednesday, the @utbakercenter welcomed professionals from across the globe during a hybrid event in partnership with Sasakawa Foundation for the U.S.-Japan Strategic Alliance Series: The U.S. – Japan Security Alliance and Economic Relations at Work in Tennessee. The symposium featured experts that examined how the crucial bilateral alliance between the U.S. and Japan is evolving to meet new geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges by engaging military and economic security experts.
    Recap: U.S. – China Relations: National Security vs. Economic EngagementNovember 9, 2023
  • Recap:  Impacts of Limitations of Workforce Development in Machining on U.S. National SecurityOctober 18, 2023
  • Students and faculty walking around the student union.
    Baker School Launches New Research CentersSeptember 29, 2023
  • Baker Student Nolan Ragland speaking with Dean Wanamaker
    Baker Students Gain Firsthand Experience in National Security ResearchSeptember 14, 2023
  • Baker School Logo
    Call for Applications for Baker School ExpertsJuly 10, 2023
  • US vs. China graphic
    The Conversation: China and the US are locked in struggle – and the visit by Secretary of State Blinken is only a start to improving relationsJune 21, 2023
  • A group of Japan Ambassadors in Japan
    UT Students in Japan with Baker CenterMay 30, 2023
  • Krista Wiegand
    GS Director Krista Wiegand Participates in Indo-Pacific Security DialoguesApril 26, 2023
  • War Ship for Article
    The Conversation: The US is about to blow up a fake warship in the South China Sea – but naval rivalry with Beijing is very real and growingApril 20, 2023
  • Will Walldorf Headshot
    U.S. Grand Strategy in a New Era of Great Power Competition: America’s National StoryApril 12, 2023
  • A.B. Culvahouse giving Ashe Lecture
    Recap: U.S. Policy in the Indo-Pacific: Standing by Our AlliesMarch 13, 2023
  • U.S. Policy in the Indo-Pacific: Standing by our AlliesMarch 6, 2023
  • U.S. – Japan Strategic Alliance SeriesMarch 1, 2023
  • Japanese Business Roundtable, February 28, 2023
    2023 Japanese Business RoundtableFebruary 28, 2023
  • Japan Ambassador Program Image
    Baker Center’s Global Security Program Launches New Japan Ambassador ProgramJanuary 24, 2023
  • China Town Hall
    China Town Hall : Local Connections, National ReflectionNovember 4, 2022
  • Admiral Harry Harris visits the Baker Center
    Ashe Lecture Series: Admiral Harry HarrisJuly 24, 2022
  • Marie Yovanovitch
    Ashe Lecture with Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie YovanovitchMay 2, 2022

“I increasingly believe that the essence of leadership ... is to be an eloquent listener.”
—Howard H. Baker Jr.

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Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
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