Research Programs

This program aims to study the phenomena of extremism and terrorism, exploring the intertwined causes leading to extremism and the transition from extremism to violent extremism (terrorism). It also examines how to counter these threats, the emergence of terrorist movements, and the factors that create an environment conducive to their growth. The program investigates the reasons behind the changing locations of terrorist organizations' bases, the relationship between counter-terrorism efforts and the structural changes these organizations undergo (such as fragmentation or integration), and the impact of these changes on their bases and spread. 

​This program examines the complex relationship between environmental degradation, energy consumption, food security, and water security, conducting studies and providing related solutions. Research indicates an increase in the number of people suffering from severe food insecurity worldwide, rising from 135 million in 2019 to 345 million across 82 countries in 2022, including several Arab countries. Studies suggest that this continuous increase in food insecurity is largely due to climate change, with global warming causing severe heat waves, heavy rainfall, and drought. At the same time, reliance on fossil fuels and current food production methods contribute significantly to the problem due to their dependence on plastic and glass greenhouses, which cause greenhouse gas emissions and consequently global warming. Therefore, utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectricity can greatly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate their harmful environmental impact.

The emergence of social and intellectual movements in a country poses significant challenges to its national security. These movements can either strengthen national security through their objectives or weaken it. Regardless of their goals, the appearance of such movements has always been a social phenomenon that the state must address. This program monitors social and intellectual movements in Arab countries and conducts studies on them, including the historical circumstances of their emergence, their demands, coordination mechanisms among members, methods of mobilizing members and sympathizers, and the costs and sources of this mobilization. These studies also aim to answer why some segments of the public participate in social movements and the factors that lead to the success or failure of these movements in achieving their demands.​

The strength of a nation's security is not solely reflected in its material capabilities, such as the size of its armed forces or the quality of its military equipment, but also in the strength of its society. Arab societies are undergoing a phase of social transformation, driven either by long-term policies aimed at diversifying income sources and transitioning to a knowledge-based economy or by internal crises and external factors affecting them. Understanding the impact of these social transformations on the strength of societies has become essential to identify strengths and weaknesses in national security. This program aims to develop an index measuring three fundamental elements of society that indicate its strength or weakness, allowing for comparisons between Arab societies. The Social Transformation Index is a composite indicator where a higher value indicates a positive impact on national security. It encompasses three factors: Gender Equality This factor measures the extent to which women and men face the same opportunities and constraints within the family, workplace, and society as a whole. Cohesion Between Social Groups This factor assesses the cooperative and respectful relationships among identity groups within society and the extent to which the state supports vulnerable groups and includes them in programs aimed at preventing discrimination. Sense of Personal Security and Trust Among Society Members This factor indicates how much individuals feel they can rely on the state and the level of trust among members of the same society. ​

This program aims to study the impact of women on various dimensions of security and peace through a gender perspective, focusing on three main pathways: ​ Women as victims of conflicts or violent extremism. Women as perpetrators of crime. Women as active participants in peacebuilding, development, counter-terrorism, and counter-extremism. Additionally, the program seeks to monitor the participation rate of Arab women in law enforcement institutions such as the police, prosecution, judiciary, and prison administrations. It also aims to examine the legal and cultural factors that hinder women's participation in these institutions and explore mechanisms to overcome these barriers. Moreover, the program aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences among Arab countries regarding women's participation in security agencies and to disseminate the successful experiences of Arab countries that have made notable progress in this direction. ​

This program aims to develop a matrix of potential risks and security challenges that affect the national security of Arab countries. It provides insights and security analyses on these challenges and how to respond to them, thereby contributing to the formulation of national security strategies for Arab countries. The program also organizes meetings and workshops to discuss geopolitical risks threatening security in Arab countries and to propose appropriate strategies to address them. Additionally, the program provides and translates national security strategies of major and non-Arab countries active in the region. It conducts workshops and drafts reports on these strategies, making them accessible to policymakers, political researchers, and academics. Furthermore, the program keeps track of global academic programs specializing in national security strategies to establish and develop relationships with them, benefiting from their expertise to localize similar programs at the University. ​

This program aims to enhance expertise in the security field by identifying the needs of the security sector and monitoring the latest research and technological developments through global academic and research institutions specializing in national security. It seeks to transfer knowledge, skills, and modern technologies to national professionals in collaboration with regional and international specialized entities and experts. The program primarily focuses on the following topics, although it may incorporate other subjects based on the needs of the security sector:،

ويمكن أن تشمل موضوعات أخرى وفقا لاحتياج القطاع الأمني:

• Scientific research methodologies in the field of national security, including methods of collecting, classifying, and analyzing information.
• Writing skills for analytical papers and reports, both classified and unclassified, within the security community.
• Data analysis methodologies to address immediate and future risks to national security, preparing material and human resources for effective response.
• Foresight methodologies and scenario planning to manage risks affecting national security, incorporating the use of artificial intelligence technologies.
• Risk management, crisis response, and infrastructure protection.
• Methodologies for preparing national security strategies.

Additionally, the program aims to establish a network of relationships with Arab and foreign experts to leverage their expertise in addressing various national security risks.​

This program aims to support and encourage scientific research in the fields of national security and counter-terrorism by hosting specialized researchers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries, and foreign countries. Visiting researchers deliver lectures to students in the programs of national security and counter-terrorism, in coordination with the program instructors and according to their areas of expertise. Additionally, during their stay at the Center, visiting researchers work on a research topic, complete it, and publish it if their stay exceeds four weeks.

Visiting researchers under this program are divided into two categories:

The first includes researchers directly contacted by the Center based on their expertise, research, and previous work areas. They are hosted for one to two weeks to provide lectures to students on predefined topics and engage in in-depth discussions about the Center's specific research programs. While the other includes researchers applying directly to the Center, these include Ph.D. students, university professors, or researchers from research centers, wishing to conduct research on one of the Center's research priorities. Their research proposals are received and reviewed, and if approved, they are accepted as visiting researchers to complete their research within a period not exceeding two months. ​