Centre for Defense Higher Studies (CASD)

The Centre for Defense Higher Studies - Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa (CASD) is the highest-ranking study institution in the field of managerial training, and security and defense studies. 

It is headed by a President, assisted by his staff for the purpose of providing general support to and coordination of the activities relevant to its three autonomous institutes: the Italian Defense Higher Studies Institute - Istituto Alti Studi per la Difesa (IASD), the Joint Services Staff College - Istituto Superiore di Stato Maggiore Interforze (ISSMI) and the Defense Research and Analysis Institute - Istituto di Ricerca e Analisi della Difesa(IRAD).

The Centre’s President reports directly to the Chief of Defense and is supported by a Steering Committee he presides over, comprising IASD military and civilian Adjuvant Directors, the ISSMI Director, the IRAD Director acting as secretary, and the Chief of Defense.

The Steering Committee examines and expresses its opinions on the study programs of IASD and ISSMI, on the activities carried out within the sessions and study courses, on the system for evaluating trainees and on all the organizational and functional aspects pertaining to the Center, aimed at increasing the maximum level of synergy in the use of the available human, material and financial resources.