About NSFA
The Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) is a research center that provides critical insights into 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:
- Indo-Pacific security & U.S. alliances
- U.S.-Japan relations
- Territorial/maritime disputes & maritime security
- Nuclear deterrence, security & nonproliferation
- Economic security & energy security in U.S. national 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.
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.
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.
RESEARCH & BOOKS
NSFA faculty, fellows, and affiliates conduct research on a range of topics: territorial and maritime disputes, piracy and maritime security; international and civil wars; conflict resolution; human rights; trade and economic security; and nuclear deterrence. Geographically, NSFA specializes in Indo-Pacific security, the U.S.-China rivalry, and U.S. alliances in the region, with a particular focus on U.S.-Japan relations, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines. NSFA’s research has been supported by National Science Foundation, Minerva, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of State, Korea Foundation, Stanton Foundation, among others.
Published Research By Faculty, Fellows, and Affiliates
- Thailand’s Land Bridge project could bypass the PRC’s Malacca dilemma. What are the Policy Implications for the United States?
- Indo-Pacific Defense Strategy Assessment of Trump 2.0
- The Impact and Consequences of Chinese Scientific and Technological Acquisition from the United States and South Korea
- Policy Efforts and Recommendations to Counter Chinese Scientific and Technology Acquisition from the United States and South Korea
Recent Books By Faculty, Fellows, and Affiliates
NSFA EVENTS
NATIONAL SECURITY and FOREIGN AFFAIRS FORUMS
In the lecture series, faculty from across the UTK campus address various aspects of the challenging relationship between the U.S. and China.
NSFA NEWS
- Dr. Krista Wiegand Receives Fulbright Specialist Award to the Philippines at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
- Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs Awarded Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Grant to Host Japan-U.S. Diplomacy Academy
- Muhammad Explores Tariff Implications for the US Distilled Spirits Sector
- Wiegand Receives Grant from the Stanton Foundation to Develop Nuclear Security Course
- Baker School and Brookings Institution Discuss Foreign Affairs with Bob Corker
- NSFA’s U.S.-Japan Diplomacy Academy Fulfills State Department’s Grant Request
- MOU Between Baker School & ORNL Paves Way for Collaboration
- Foreign Affairs Forum Recap: The Dangers of Modern-Day Disinformation and Propaganda
- UT Students Experience Japanese Culture and Foreign Policy on Japan Ambassadors Trip
