President Giorgio Napolitano Address to the NATO

Contents

Editorial 2 The Commandant’s Corner 3

The Cornerstone History of the College 4

Address to the NATO Defense College on its 10 60th Anniversary President Giorgio Napolitano

Address to the NATO Defense College on its 12 60th Anniversary NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

A deep insight Workshop Report 14

Crisis in the MENA Region: Five Challenges 16 to address

NATO Partnership in the MENA Region 19

Shooting the Breeze Building Consensus 22

Work in Progress Conference of Commandants 24 – 40th Edition, Cracow

Highlights Our Courses 25 Our Guests 29 The Editorial Vox Collegii Volume III The Commandant’s Corner

The first semester of 2011 was a very This is fittingly complemented by the third special period for the NATO Defense part of the “Cornerstone” section, which College. Two very different events occu- features the NATO Secretary General’s pied the centre of the NDC stage, bringing remarks on the 60th Anniversary of the opposite feelings of joy and concern. College.

The joy stems from the College’s 60th However, our mood of joyous celebration Anniversary, which we proudly celebrated has been tempered by concern about the with a varied programme of activities. social and political events that took place These ranged from a celebratory concert in North Africa and the Middle East, lead- by the Italian Air Force Band to a coming to the NATO intervention in Libya. memorative ceremony honoured by the As a consequence, the College organized a presence of the Italian President and the number of lectures and discussion panels NATO Secretary General, who unveiled the focusing on this question, in order to keep NATO Defense College History Wall. Course Members informed and promote dialogue on the subject. Taking advan- Sixty years of history gave us an excellent tage of these high-level lectures, we were Juhasz, Brigadier General Nick Smith and reason to celebrate the NATO Defense Col- able to include in the current issue some Rear Admiral Svend-Erik Estellon, all of lege in the presence of the North Atlantic in-depth interviews and opinion articles whom have been mainstays of an excellent Council and Military Committee Members, by experts from the region. management team. and to publish a Chronicle Book covering It is also time to welcome Lieutenant General fter almost three and a half years at challenging task, but, in an increasingly cated people from some 20 NATO nations. highlights of the College’s development The time has come for us to say good- Arne Bård Dalhaug, new Commandant Athe NDC, during which I have witnessed multi-dimensional environment, it is also It has always been a privilege and pleasure and its achievements during six decades bye to a number of people within the of the College, together with Brigadier the completion of 7 Senior Courses, 5 an increasingly necessary task. to serve together with, and be supported of activity. College’s Command Group. First of all, we General Gerd Bischof and Brigadier General “Middle Eastern” courses, several other I am sure that in facing all the challeng- by, this excellent Faculty and Staff, whom bid farewell to the Commandant, Lieutenant Patrick Desjardins. To all of them, our best short courses, seminars and conferences, es described in NATO´s new Strategic I wish to thank very much for these three The first chapter of the NATO Defense College General Wolf-Dieter Loeser, whose conta- wishes for their professional “adventure” received hundreds of visitors, taken part in Concept, the NATO Defense College will and a half wonderful and outstanding Chronicle Book, on the history of the Col- gious enthusiasm and energy have been at the NATO Defense College. numerous Field Studies, travelled to many become more and more important in years. lege, is reproduced on the following pages such an asset to the College. other destinations and been involved today’s world and that of tomorrow for a There is no doubt that my wife Dagmar as the opening contribution to this issue of Other leading figures taking leave of us LtCol Mario MASDEA in the fantastic celebrations for the 60th number of reasons: and I will miss the College, its international “Vox Collegii”. this summer are Brigadier General Gyorgy Chief Public Affairs anniversary, I am finally leaving the NATO - because of the need for more integrated atmosphere and the people who work Defense College. and multinational education at a time of here, we will of course miss Rome and On 22nd July 2011, Admiral di Paola, the budget constraints; we will certainly always remember our Chairman of the Military Committee, will - because of the growing importance of marvellous host nation, Italy. hand over the Command of the NDC to “Outreach” to the MENA and other regions my successor, Lt Gen Arne Dalhaug from of the world - a field in which the NDC has Arrivederci NDC Norway. more experience and has established better Arrivederci Roma Looking back on my career of over 43 years relations than anybody else in NATO; and in the German Army, I can say that this was - because of the quality of the NDC one of the most - if not the most - interesting Research Division, which produces not and rewarding positions I have ever held. only excellent, but also relevant and timely Educating future leaders from NATO and papers for decision-makers. Lieutenant General partner countries across cultural and po- One of the prerequisites for all this is a Wolf-Dieter LOESER litical divides is not only a fascinating and dedicated staff - and this I have had - dedi- German Army, NDC Commandant

Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter Loeser was tional assignments he attended the Nation- where, as Deputy Commander Operations, born on 15 August 1949 in Wahrenholz in al Defense University in Washington D.C., he was responsible for the conduct of opera- Lower Saxony. He is married to Dagmar and graduating with a Master of Science Degree tions by the VI Mission Contingent. they have two children. in National Security Strategy in 1994. In July 2005, as a Major General, he was Lt Gen Loeser joined the Bundeswehr in His command assignments include the appointed Commandant of the Bundeswehr 1968 and graduated in 1976 with a diploma position of Deputy Corps Commander of the Command and Staff College. in Political Sciences. From 1979 to 1981 he Eurocorps in Strasbourg. Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter Loeser has attended the General Staff Officer Course In this capacity, from August 2004 to Febru- been Commandant of the NATO Defense at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff ary 2005 he participated in the International College in Rome since March 2008. College. After several national and interna- Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan,

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2 3 The Cornerstone Vox Collegii Volume III The Cornerstone

History of the College LtCol Mario Masdea & Ms Valerie Kasseckert

After World War II the international Institute for Higher National Defence the Alliance, enjoying close ties with the geopolitical scenario changed from one Studies, the National War College of the policy-makers. of multipolarism to the bipolarism of the United States, and the Imperial Defence On 19 November 1951, seven months Cold War. Many countries that had hither- College of Great Britain. From these three after General Eisenhower’s proposal, to played a key role were seriously affect- examples the NATO Defense College drew the College inaugurated its first Senior ed by the war and, though on the winning inspiration for its three main features: from Course. Once it had been decided that the side, lost their global influence as a result. France, involvement of civilian lecturers; College would be situated in Paris, home from the United States, specialization in to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers The United States and the Soviet Union military studies at political/strategic level; Europe, there was a choice of three pos- thus became the two superpowers that and from Great Britain, emphasis on inter- sible locations. would shape the destiny of the world national educational methods. The first option, placing the College in for more than three decades. The Soviet the countryside outside Paris, would have Union, pursuing its policy of expansion in The College was, from the outset, under been inconvenient for lecturers and fac- Eastern Europe, created the Cominform the supervision of the highest NATO bod- ulty advisers. and refused to accept the Marshall Plan ies – the Permanent Group/NATO Atlantic The second, renting the Hotel Astoria for the Soviet bloc. Council until 1966, and subsequently where SHAPE had formerly been housed, Against this background, Europe was the Military Committee. This reflects the would have been too expensive. divided by the “Iron Curtain”. On 4 April College’s status as the acknowledged The third option, locating the College in College premises in Paris, 1951 1949, the nations on the Western side strategic-level educational institute of the Artillery wing of the École Militaire, were among the twelve signatories of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, DC. was favoured as an excellent solution there were many nations with a colonial human resources by the participating na- NATO at this stage consisted of Canada, – centrally located, secure, and close to past and extensive experience of contact tions. the United States of America, the United other military education institutes. with different cultures and organizations. From its inception the academic Kingdom, France, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, The line-up of a Spahi guard of honour for programme aimed to give officers and Norway, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg Six years after the end of the Second the inauguration ceremony offered an el- civilian officials a very broad perspective, and the Netherlands. Four years later, World War, in an eloquently symbolic ges- oquent statement of the Alliance’s global including the study of NATO structures, on 18 February 1952, Greece and Turkey ture, NATO’s leading educational institute approach to security. Alliance countries, communism and the joined the Alliance. They were followed was thus established in one of the world’s communist countries, and the non- by the Federal Republic of Germany on 9 great capital cities, in the very heart of The nations had different criteria for se- aligned nations. Human interoperability May 1955. Western Europe. That same year the lecting personnel to attend the course, was sought through committee work. From the outset there was a clear need United Nations opened its Headquarters sometimes focusing on experience and Course members were divided into nine to educate the leadership of the Alliance. in Manhattan, NY, and a peace treaty was sometimes on the requirement to edu- committees, each consisting of five to nine Once the structure and the organizational signed between Japan and all the Allied cate future leaders. Consequently, the age people, who in this way were able to share infrastructure were in place, it was essen- powers except the USSR, Czechoslovakia of course members ranged from 28 to 60 their expertise and enhance their knowl- tial to concentrate on the human factor and Poland. Under the terms of the treaty, years. edge through intercultural exchange. and, in a statement to the North Atlantic Japan was forced to give up its overseas The first Commandant of the NATO De- Council on 25 April 1951, General Dwight territories. All these developments indi- fense College, Admiral Lemmonier, was The Field Studies are the constant fea- D. Eisenhower was of the opinion “that it cated confidence that the world was mov- French. France, the United States and the ture running from the first Senior Course is highly desirable to establish in the near ing towards a new era of cooperation and United Kingdom were the three countries up to the present day. Initially, the trips future a NATO Defense College for the peace. with the prerogative of appointing the were conducted in the Alliance countries training of individuals who will be needed Commandant. College staff also came bordering with France and lasted about to serve in key capacities in NATO Organi- In Paris, lecturers from all over the world from those nations. From 1957 on, both three days. Gradually they were extended zations.” were able to reach the College easily, and the Commandant and the staff could be to other European countries and their students were proud to be educated with- appointed from all Alliance nations, and duration was increased to two weeks. General Eisenhower’s far-sighted proposal in the ancient walls of the institute where the first Commandant under the new The overall duration of Field Studies reflected his dual professional back- Napoleon had once studied. regulations, Lieutenant General de Renzi, on the Senior Course was at one stage ground, as NATO’s first Supreme Allied The first Senior Course consisted of 47 was Italian. almost as much as 50 days, including a trip Commander Europe and as President of participants from ten different nations. In specifically dedicated to Italy. In 1963, the Columbia University. Consistent with this those early days, because of the interna- The length of the course was set by first overseas trip took course members to was the merging of military and educational situation, military participation was General Eisenhower, and ranged from six the United States and Canada. The format tional requirements in the mission of the much higher than civilian participation to eight months. of two Field Study periods, the “European College, which was founded on 25 June and only six out of the 47 course members The experience gained after three courses Perspective” and the “Transatlantic Link”, 1951. were civilians. showed that a duration of five and a half continued until 2010. Starting from Senior The College structure was modelled on Many of the military personnel attending months was the most appropriate and Course 117, these were complemented the three most important military edu- the course had experience of joint opera- effective from an academic point of view, by a third Field Study period on “Regional cational institutes at the time: the French General Eisenhower tions and international environments, and ensuring optimal use of financial and Approaches”. The aim is to provide course

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History of the College LtCol Mario Masdea & Ms Valerie Kasseckert

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members with a more effective overview College opened its doors to female course the disastrous floods in Florence and one was created. This is a crucial forum for of the topics dealt with during the visits members and the first woman to attend Faculty Adviser’s car was actually swept discussion of ongoing and future NATO and to reduce total travelling time. a Senior Course was a diplomat from the away by the River Arno. Defense College programmes, includ- Netherlands. The quality of the courses was not ing the updating of curricula and related The bonds between NATO Defense The range of topics covered in courses affected by the changes and attendant activities in order to keep the education College Course Members have been changed over the years, as civilian lectur- difficulties, and the opening day was process in line with the real current and strengthened through the “Anciens’ ers came to play an increasingly important celebrated as scheduled on 18 January future challenges of the Allies. Associations” and their annual “Anciens’ role. Their growing influence – and the 1967. Seminar”, held for the first time in 1954. contribution of the diplomatic service in The Opening Ceremony for Senior Course The Academic Advisory Board, chaired by More is said on this topic in the chapter particular – were at their most prominent 30 was attended by the President of the the Chairman of the Military Committee about the History of the Anciens. when an interim civilian Commandant / Italian Republic, Giuseppe Saragat, Prime and composed of up to six independent Director was appointed in 1966. Minister Aldo Moro and NATO Secretary academics, very quickly became a funda- The Sixties were the key period for overall General Manlio Brosio. mental part of the College’s structure, of- cooperation between the Alliance and the In the same year, France withdrew from fering academic guidance and support to “third pole” of non-aligned countries and the Alliance’s integrated military structure, The years that followed were strongly in- the Commandant. During the early years President of the Italian Republic, Giuseppe Saragat, and Prime Minister Aldo Moro former colonies. It was also the time when bringing the College’s Parisian period to a fluenced by the social changes triggered in Rome, thanks to the unique advantag- attending the Opening Ceremony for Senior Course 30, 1967 East and West were increasingly forced to- close. by the events of 1968 in many European es offered by the Eternal City, additional wards détente in the wake of the Cuban countries. The College was also affected, steps were taken to improve mutual un- crisis, the traumatic experience of Viet- NATO member states were asked to especially from the academic point of derstanding of values and cultures among Summit guidelines on fostering coopera- NATO countries and their counterparts in nam and the relentless increase in nuclear decide on a new location for the College. view. In terms of participating countries, course members. These innovations tion in the field of education and training Central and East European and Mediterra- expenditure. Rome received unanimous consensus. France did not send any course members. included the Papal Audience, inaugurated with Central and East European countries, nean Dialogue countries. The College was influenced by these The Italian Government sent an official In 1974 Greece stopped sending partici- under the Pontificate of Paul VI, and the in 1992 the Conference was enlarged The aim of the discussions is firstly to developments, and adapted to the new offer to the North Atlantic Council and, the pants, and Portugal reduced and eventu- Art and History Programme. to include a number of Partnership for foster mutual understanding and aware- educational requirements which they day after, it was formally accepted. ally discontinued its participation. From Peace/OSCE countries with high-level ness, and secondly to identify areas in entailed. The first step was to open the Because of the limited time available, the early 1974 until early 1977 only 10 or 11 The College’s oldest outreach activity, the defence education establishments. It was which Colleges can provide assistance or courses to participants from non-Alliance relocation from Paris to Rome was not countries were represented at the College Conference of Commandants, started life further enlarged in 2000 to include the support to one another. After the fall of countries, and to diplomats in particular. without its problems. The Commandant’s – the lowest level of international partici- in 1972 and until 1988 always took place Mediterranean Dialogue partners. the Berlin Wall and the implosion of the With the resulting increase in partici- office was initially housed at the Italian pation since its foundation. in Rome. Subsequently it moved to other The Conference has a dual purpose: to Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, the inter- pation, in 1962 the College for the first Ministry of Defence, since work on the As a result of opposition to NATO and cities, in Europe or in other NATO coun- facilitate the exchange of information national system became monopolar, with time hosted Course Members from 14 new College premises with all the latest the armed forces by many opinion lead- tries. between those responsible for high-level only one of the superpowers surviving the different nations. The following year, the technical facilities was still in progress ers, and the spread of pacifist thinking The Conference then took on an impor- defence education, with a view to im- Cold War: the United States of America. at the time of the move. In addition, the in academic institutions, the College lost tant new dimension, following changes proving curricula and teaching methods; In a world where the traditional “enemy” College staff in Rome were largely new, its civilian cooperation dimension and its in the security environment in the late and to promote cooperation in high-level had collapsed, Europe was enlarging its since many of those who had worked in curriculum was changed to prioritize a 1980s. In accordance with the 1991 Rome defence education between Colleges in borders and the nuclear threat seemed Paris chose not to move. For those who military focus. did, their transfer to Rome coincided with Meanwhile the College also remodelled its academic activities and organization. Papal Audience, 1967 In 1970, the Academic Advisory Board

??? College premises in Rome, 1966

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??? College premises in Rome, 1966

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The new College premises inaugurated in 1999

of the evolving security environment. partnership activities, in line with the devoted all its energies to the pursuit of The second of these specifically targeted needs of Allies and partners, as well as to the goals set by its mission. courses is the one-week Modular Short create a Middle East Faculty at the NATO We are confident that in the years ahead AAB Meeting, 1975 Course, introduced in 2003. This is held Defense College. the NATO Defense College will continue four or five times during each Senior In 2009, after two years of preparation, the to address these priorities with energy to have been eliminated, NATO’s role was Partnership for Peace/OSCE and are now course has been run in February every Course. In this way, some of the Senior College inaugurated the NATO Regional and dedication, adapting its courses and once again under discussion. The 1990s also from Mediterranean Dialogue and year since then, on each occasion attract- Course Study Periods are open to mili- Cooperation Course, lasting ten weeks related activities to the changing interna- saw the economic growth of China and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries. ing more than 500 participants. The aims tary officers and civilian officials who may and held twice a year. This course aims to tional scenario. other regional powers, increasing frustra- While at the College, participants join the of this important outreach activity are to not be able to attend the NATO Defense link questions of importance to the broad- tion in relations between the two shores Senior Course for lectures and become improve knowledge of NATO, to discuss College for the almost six-month duration er Middle East region and to the interna- The new Strategic Concept gives us an of the Mediterranean, and sustained emi- an active part of SC committees. After a the challenges facing the Atlantic Alliance of a Senior Course. tional community at large, focusing at the overview of the challenges that NATO will gration from the Middle East to Europe. stimulating period of study with the Senior and its partners in today’s security envi- In 2004 the College’s research activity was strategic and political-military level on rel- face in the coming years. In this overall As a consequence of the changing Course, they are able to return home with ronment, and to address crucial current greatly reinforced by the creation of three evant security issues. These are examined setting, the NATO Defense College will geopolitical scenario, NATO received a better understanding of how NATO issues in the field of international security. NATO grade A4 researcher posts. In 2007, from the perspective of MD, ICI and NATO undoubtedly continue to be an indispens- a new injection of life and enlarged its works. the importance of research was further member countries. able tool in the accomplishment of the membership year by year to the current In 1999, the College moved from its origi- The beginning of the 21st century was a recognized when the Academic Research In its 60 years of history, the College has Alliance’s mission. total of 28 countries. nal site to new, more secure premises built period of very intense activity. Branch, established in the 1990s, became The College also benefited: over the last by the Host Nation in the Cecchignola The College’s academic programme was the present-day Research Division. Led by decade the average number of partici- military area. The new building includes a updated to reflect NATO’s policy in the a grade A5 Director, with two NATO Senior NATO Regional Cooperation Course pants in each Senior Course has risen to 260-seat Main Auditorium and two small- new international scenario. Against this Research Advisers and several Voluntary 82, and the average number of countries er Auditoria, each with a seating capacity background, to extend its range of edu- National Contribution researchers, the represented to 32.The regular turnover of of just over 50, a state-of-the-art library cational activities and cater for a need Research Division provides NATO’s senior staff and Faculty members has given the and a fully equipped gym, outdoor tennis expressed by a number of countries, the leaders with sound and timely analyses College the immense benefit of greatly court and other sports facilities. College has introduced two short courses and recommendations on current issues differing experiences and opinions. The following year saw the setting up of for specific user groups. of particular concern to the Alliance. the Kiev Week, in line with NATO’s new The curriculum has been updated, focus- policy of outreach to the former Soviet The first of these is the Generals’, Flag The Research Division’s activities also ing not only on the Alliance’s traditional Union countries. Officers’ and Ambassadors’ Course, help to convey NATO’s position on dif- areas of interest but also on the Middle introduced in 2002. With a group of highly ferent matters to the wider audience of East, the Far East, the former Soviet Re- On 28 January 2000, Mr Kuzmuk, the authoritative lecturers, some 45 to 50 the international strategic community, publics, and the Mediterranean Dialogue Ukrainian Defence Minister, and Lord senior officers, civilians and officials come and thus contribute to strengthening the countries. In this framework, in the 1992- Robertson, NATO Secretary General at together to discuss major issues confront- transatlantic link. During the Riga Summit 1993 academic year the College intro- the time, agreed to run an international ing the Alliance. in 2006, the Alliance stated its readiness duced a new course, known initially as the course at the Ukrainian National Defence Held for one week in the spring and again, to share its training expertise with Medi- NACC/OSCE and then as the Integrated Academy in Kiev. with an additional week in Brussels, in the terranean Dialogue and Istanbul Coop- Partner Orientation Course. fall, the GFOAC has become a very popu- eration Initiative partners. The goal was This is attended by some 25 to 30 officers The first “International Week” was held lar and worthwhile vehicle for introducing to increase participation in existing NATO and civilians, who at first came from the from 12 to 16 February 2001 and the senior leaders to NATO and the challenges training and education programmes and

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The new College premises inaugurated in 1999

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Address to the NATO Defense College on its 60th Anniversary President Giorgio Napolitano

Nobody had foreseen the recent events in the Mediterranean and the profound changes throughout the Arab world. We are witnessing a turning point in a region that is in our immediate neighbourhood, on our borders: and make no mistake, I am talking about NATO (or about the European Union) as a whole. “Southern” Allies, such as Italy, are im- mediately and directly exposed, but any significant change in North Africa or in the Middle East will affect all of us, in North or Central Europe or across the Atlantic. Security is a common good - there are ???? not “Southern” or “Northern” or “Eastern” Allies, only “Allies”.

We also need to be aware that a stable, prosperous, tolerant and economically vi- brant Mediterranean will enhance the role of Europe and the Atlantic in the global Libya is a case in point. I wish to commend NATO has adopted a new Strategic Con- I was extremely pleased with the full realignment of power and wealth across the Alliance, Secretary General Rasmussen cept that recognizes the new challenges political resumption of the NATO-Russia the world. By contrast, a Mediterranean and the Military Authorities for undertak- and a wide-ranging responsibility of the relationship. President Medvedev’s par- in turmoil and poverty will heighten the ing a difficult, complex and delicate task. Alliance for its members’ security. While ticipation in the NRC in Lisbon, after a Eastward shift of the international balance Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR is fraught Art. 5 remains at the core of the Alliance, two-and-a-half-year discontinuation, was of power. with difficulties because of the situation we are now better prepared to face other very good news. Practical cooperation has The “Arab spring” is still playing out and on the ground and the limitations set in threats and to respond to unforeseen resumed and possibly increased, namely Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has a great potential for triggering posi- resolution 1973 - by which NATO must emergencies, as we are doing in Libya to- with regard to Afghanistan, where Moscow tive developments in civil, social and abide. Yet it has been successful in pre- day. can be of substantial help to our efforts. I democratic growth. They will probably venting harsh repression and civilian mas- understand that difficulties remain in the take time and pain but they need our sacres. I am confident that with patience Afghanistan continues to be NATO’s major major issue of Missile Defence. L et me first thank you, especially role and a boost to its capacity to oper- confident support. We must work, then, and consistency international legitimacy operation and political commitment. The outcome here can ultimately divide General Loeser, for inviting me to join you ate effectively with partners in the field. for the best and fastest possible outcome, will prevail in Libya. In the last 14 months the military or unite Russia and the Alliance. Hard and on this fortunate occasion celebrating the I am happy to recognize a large number by forging a strong partnership with our surge has reached its peak. We are now complex as it is, I strongly invite you to NATO Defense College’s 60th Anniversary. of them in the audience, belonging to the Southern Mediterranean and Arab friends Following the directions established on approaching the second phase, which will persevere. The dialogue with Moscow has Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean to promote good governance and region- March 9 by the Supreme Defence Council, require military consolidation, through a always been demanding, but its potential Italy has hosted the NDC since 1966. Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation al stability. I am very much encouraged by which I chair, Italy is proud to participate gradual, concerted reduction in combat rewards are invaluable. Political circumstances at that time Initiative. President Obama’s speech yesterday (19th fully in the NATO operation in Libya. troop numbers, while Afghans themselves provided us with this opportunity and we May 2011 - ed.). increasingly take responsibility for their The NATO Defense College celebrates its are thankful for it – the NDC’s presence I am happy to welcome to Rome Secretary Last March, while addressing the Council, own security. It will take some time but 60th Anniversary while Italy celebrates our in Rome has been beneficial both to Italy General Rasmussen, together with the But we also need to be prepared for any I noted: “2010 is a crucial year for NATO”. the direction is clear. It will be coupled 150th Anniversary as a unified nation. It is and to the Alliance, especially as recent members of the North Atlantic Council transitional scenario that might affect our I am not going to repeat the same pre- with political transition on the domestic a major landmark in our history and I have events force NATO to look South, which is and of the Military Committee. We met security. And any security challenge in diction for 2011. It is quite clear that the side, while NATO and the international invited many Heads of State and Govern- where new challenges to the security of all not long ago at your Headquarters in Brus- the region is most likely to call for a NATO Alliance is facing yet another test in North community will continue to support Kabul ment to join us on this occasion. They will are increasingly originating. sels. I have a vivid memory of my address response. Africa, in addition to all these already met with military training and civil assistance. be here in Rome on 2nd June. to the NAC and of the lively exchange of last year. We have invested enormous effort in This Institution, and the Atlantic Alliance, This Institution is at the heart of the Alliance. views we had in March last year. The European Union too should be able to Let me say then that I believe that 2010 Afghanistan. We have all shed blood. are much younger. But I can assure you In the last 20 years the College has spread share this burden and these responsibili- was a year well spent. I refer, of course, to I wish to pay tribute to our women and that they have an outstanding place in its wings, following NATO’s outreach and In barely fourteen months much has ties, in a spirit of cooperation and division the Lisbon Summit of last November. That men in uniform. This time we must not our history as a democratic Republic, and opening its doors to our partners. More changed inside and outside NATO. But the of labour. We, as Europeans, must be able appointment was very much in everyone’s abandon Afghanistan after our military in our hearts. than 60 countries, over twice as many as fundamentals have remained the same. If to enhance the EU’s role in this area. thoughts - certainly in your thoughts. commitment is finished. the current membership, have attended, anything, they are reinforced by the most The Lisbon Treaty gives us important I wish to acknowledge your leadership and are attending, this Institution. recent challenge undertaken by the Alli- institutional means. However, at present, and wisdom, and the Council’s spirit of Without Bin Laden Al-Qaeda is greatly Their participation has given a tremen- ance: enforcing United Nations Security the enhanced role of which I speak cannot cooperation and good will in bringing the weakened. However we must remain vigi- dous support to the Alliance’s political Council resolution 1973 of March 17, 2011. yet be taken for granted. Lisbon Summit to a successful conclusion. lant against the terrorist threat.

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Address to the NATO Defense College on its 60th Anniversary President Giorgio Napolitano

10 11 The Cornerstone Vox Collegii Volume III The Cornerstone

Address to the NATO Defense College on its 60th Anniversary Defence College has built an outstanding security. And they will help us to connect The Mediterranean Dialogue between NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen reputation. We saw this very clearly last with new, global partners. the Alliance and seven countries in North year, when the College made a particu- I am convinced that once again, the NATO Africa and the Middle East promotes larly welcome contribution to NATO’s new Defense College can lead the way. As a link mutual understanding and practical co- Strategic Concept. between the military and academic com- operation. We adopted our new strategy late last munities, the College is ideally placed to And we need to focus more on those ar- year in Lisbon. It is NATO’s action plan for turn this policy into practice. eas where our partners need support and the coming decade. And it also provides advice as they manage change. important guidance for the future devel- Second, North Africa and the broader Mid- We also need to think how to deepen opment of the NATO Defense College. dle East. We have seen a wind of change our relationship with the members of the sweeping through this entire region. And Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. The Gulf And now, looking forward. I believe there that wind is still blowing. region matters for global security. And are two issues that will come to the fore The consequences for the countries, for it matters for NATO. We share common on NATO’s future agenda – and that of the region, and for the Alliance could be challenges and common interests – for the Defense College: the further evolu- far-reaching. And I firmly believe NATO example in energy security and counter- tion of our partnerships; and helping the can, and should, help to shape those piracy. And we need to find common ways countries of North Africa and the broader consequences in cooperation with the to deal with them. Middle East as they manage change. countries of the region. Let me address each of them in turn. Many of our Allies have their own expe- For the past 60 years, the NATO Defense rience of the transition to democracy. College has been at the heart of NATO’s First, the further evolution of partnership. We can, and we should, use that experi- successful efforts to safeguard our free- In Berlin last month, the Alliance adopted ence to help countries in the region with dom and security, and to spread stability. a package of measures to modernize our defence and security sector reforms – if The College has played a key part in partnerships, and to make them even they so wish. sustaining the common values, common more relevant. More relevant for all our I could even imagine a new generation of approaches, and common ideas that un- partners – old and new. And more rele- officers from a democratic, post–Qadhafi derpin everything we do – both as Allies, vant for all of us in NATO. Libya, attending courses on civil–military and with our partners. These measures will help us to engage our cooperation at this very College. To all of you who have been associated partners even more effectively in meet- And I would hope to see that sooner with the NATO Defense College, I want ing the new security challenges – such as rather than later. We can also do more to say: thank you, congratulations – and terrorism, proliferation, cyber and energy with our existing partners. happy anniversary!

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

It is always a pleasure to visit Rome. But security has grown to mean much more The Allies have moved quickly to offer the a particular pleasure to visit on this special than just military security. Increasingly, hand of friendship, partnership and coop- occasion – the NATO Defense College’s it came to include many civil aspects too. eration. Initially our focus was on Europe 60th anniversary. And the Defense College reacted swiftly, and Central Asia. by expanding its student base to include But more recently we have reached out to Since the day this College was founded, it civilians alongside military personnel. countries in North Africa, the Middle East, has been NATO’s foremost academic cen- and also the Gulf region. We have offered ter. For almost as long as NATO itself, the Today, many of the civilians who have a wide range of opportunities for political College has helped to shape generations passed through the halls of the College dialogue and practical cooperation. And of officers for the highest levels of service. occupy senior positions across the Euro- the Defense College has played a vital role And today, its reputation extends well Atlantic area. They are enriched by the in cultivating this approach. beyond the Alliance. strategic thinking they acquired here. And By providing a common education to A 60th anniversary is a good time to look they understand the importance of close NATO and non-NATO participants, it has back on past achievements. But it is also civil-military cooperation. encouraged countries with different a good time to look ahead. I wish to do We see the enormous benefits of this histories, different cultures and different both in my brief remarks. joined-up approach in our capitals. And perspectives to tackle common challeng- we see them even more clearly where it es together. Since the end of the Cold War, the secu- counts most – on the ground. In all NATO- rity picture has changed dramatically. led missions and operations, civil-military Finally, the rapid changes in our security And it is still changing. NATO has always cooperation has become increasingly environment require us not only to keep responded to those changes. And so, too, important. up. They also require us to look forward. has the Defense College. Let me give you A second important feature of NATO To look into the future, to analyze impli- just three examples. over the past few decades has been its cations for NATO, and to develop policy First of all, over the past two decades, emphasis on cooperative security. options for our Alliance. Here as well, the

12 13 The Cornerstone Vox Collegii Volume III The Cornerstone

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

12 13 A deep insight Vox Collegii Volume III A deep insight

Workshop Report Dr Pierre Razoux o facilitating development of south-south infrastructure between Morocco and Egypt (motorways, railways); o establishing transparent tax rules to favour foreign investments. n 16th and 17th June 2011, the NATO 2011). Here we summarize a number of DefenseO College organized an international points arising from the discussion. research seminar entitled “Six months Impact on NATO and its partnerships after the start of the Arab Spring: impact The NATO military operation in Libya (MD-ICI) and challenges for the countries of North - Public opinion in the Arab countries is - In its response to the Arab spring with all Africa and the Middle East and for NATO divided as to the justification for this oper- the uncertainty regarding the outcome, partnerships”. This high-level event, run ation. Many Arabs support the principle of NATO is reaffirming the philosophy of the under the Chatham House Rule, brought the operation and wish to see the end of MD and ICI, prioritizing regional stability together about fifty experts, political ad- the Gaddafi regime and his removal from and security and the creation of a climate visers, ambassadors, diplomats, military power. But they are mistrustful of NATO, favourable to dialogue and trust. officers and journalists from NATO member which they see as an extension of US pow- - The Alliance is ready, through the MD states, North Africa, Middle East, and the er. From their point of view, NATO has to and the ICI, to respond to the challenges League of Arab States. change the image it has of being an ally to and opportunities created by these events The timing of this seminar was particularly the dictators and the Libyan intervention on the basis of the following principles: crucial bearing in mind: must remain an exception: NATO has no o continuity (not seeking to reinvent the - NATO’s difficulty in defining a common right to intervene in the domestic affairs of and thus powerful. lack of engagement of certain Allies in wheel); vision of its possible strategy towards this Arab countries. The Libyan crisis must not - This vision comprises three key principles: Libya and are questioning the usefulness o complementarity (with the EU, the UN Pierre Razoux is a Senior Research vast region; create a precedent to justify other NATO oThe United States are opposed to the of NATO. and other regional organizations); Advisor at the NATO Defense College - The situation in Yemen and Syria, which interventions in the region, for example in use of violence, whether by demonstra- - The US Congress will continue to provide o appropriation (each country concerned in Rome, in charge of North Africa, is still extremely worrying; Syria or, in the event of a popular uprising, tors or by those in power; annual military assistance worth a billion is to keep control of the process and iden- Middle East and Gulf issues. The - NATO’s military engagement in Libya in Algeria. o The United States uphold universal hu- and a half dollars to Egypt. It is now voting tify its own needs); opinions expressed in this article through Operation Unified Protector, - A certain number of Arabs highlight are those of the author and must man rights in every Arab country, including the increase of civilian assistance budgets o flexibility (cooperation in a bilateral or undertaken to implement UN Security the political difficulties to be expected if not be attributed to the NATO access to information; to promote economic development, edu- “28 + n” framework); Council Resolution 1973. the NATO bombings continue during the Defense College or to the North oThe United States encourage political cation and the promotion of democracy in o modularity (the offer of cooperation Ramadan period, which starts on 1st August Atlantic Treaty Organization. and economic reforms in the Arab countries Egypt. must respect the specificity of each coun- Certain actors see this crisis above all as a this year. Should NATO continue bomb- as a whole. - Bahrain remains a vital naval base for try). source of opportunities, others as a source ing during this period, all the Arab lead- - This is why the Obama administration is the United States (home of the Vnd Fleet), - Reform of the defence and security sec- of risks and tensions. It is impossible to ers who have so far left an open verdict on at present engaged in a political tug-of- which does not prevent the United States tors seems to be the field in which NATO predict its outcome. This crisis is for the NATO’s role in the Libyan crisis would be war with Saudi Arabia, to convince the from doing everything possible to encour- has many years of experience and can moment to the advantage of the Islamist, unlikely to spare the Alliance from severe Saudi leadership to move ahead progres- age the democratic reform process there. offer real added value to help the Arab nationalist and pan-Arab movements. In criticism, with the risk of further jeopardiz- sively, step by step and in a controlled way, This remains an important source of ten- countries wishing to bring in reforms. the three countries which have chosen to ing consensus. Qatar and the United Arab with political reforms seen as indispens- sion between Washington and Riyadh. - For NATO, defence reform involves above embark on a course of reforms (Tunisia, Emirates could find themselves in a deli- able. The aim is to avoid the eruption of a - The fight against Al-Qaeda and the ter- all the modernization of military capaci- Egypt and Morocco), the situation seems cate political situation prompting them to major crisis in Saudi Arabia, which could rorist movement in Yemen remains one ties, reduction of troop numbers, im- to be moving in the right direction. disengage, at least during the Ramadan lead to a situation of chaos damaging to of the US administration’s priorities in the provement of civilian-military relations, The encouraging developments there period. the Saudi monarchy, its GCC allies and the region. transparency of military budgets, training, (particularly in Egypt) will play a key role United States: the stability of Saudi Arabia - In Syria, the United States are counting education, rehabilitation of veterans and in redefining balances within the Arab Impact on United States policy remains one of the United States’ priori- on Turkey and Saudi Arabia to attempt a their reinsertion into civilian life. world. - President Obama is convinced that it is ties. negotiated resolution of the crisis. - With regard to the Libyan crisis, NATO This crisis has prompted the United States in the long-term interest of the United - If the Saudi regime’s inflexibility triggered would be well advised, once the Gaddafi to redefine its posture towards the region, States to give unmistakable support to a major political crisis in Saudi Arabia, the Impact on the European Union regime falls, to invite Libya to join the forcing it into a political tug-of-war with the aspirations of the Arab peoples to ac- Obama administration would not rule out - Unlike the Americans, the Europeans see Mediterranean Dialogue so as to offer it a Saudi Arabia. quire greater democracy and justice, even the possibility of negotiating with all the the Arab spring essentially as a source of tried and tested framework for coopera- The three main beneficiaries of this crisis if this means shelving certain short- and parties involved, including the opposition. risks and tensions. The situation in North tion. are Turkey, Iran and the Arab peoples, who mid-term interests in the region. He not - The US administration is for the moment Africa remains a major priority for the EU, have shown their will to take their destiny only embraces a positive world picture To read the whole Workshop not interested in North Africa, including particularly in relation to the destabilizing in hand without the intervention of out- and considers that the Arab peoples will Report “Six months after the start Libya. Its regional priorities are in the Gulf role of AQIM. of the Arab Spring: impact and side powers. eventually obtain what they are asking region. - The Europeans are afraid of seeing Libya challenges for the countries of NATO, the EU and the UN have every- for; he is also convinced that, by basing - The United States supported the military become a new Somalia. North Africa and the Middle East thing to gain by greater cooperation in his arguments on the defence of values intervention in Libya because they were - They seem to be oriented towards de- and for NATO partnerships” please the search for appropriate solutions to common to all peoples, he will contribute convinced that a bloodbath in Benghazi veloping their Neighbourhood Policy visit our web site at: propose for the challenges raised by this to maintaining the domestic cohesion of would halt the momentum of the Arab vis-à-vis Arab countries through targeted www.ndc.nato.int crisis. NATO should address the ques- US society, which he sees as increasingly spring, which they saw as a source of partnerships based on individual circum- tion of how it is to pursue its operation in heterogeneous and in need of this basis opportunities and not of risks. stances, with a view to: Libya during the Ramadan period (August of shared values in order to remain united - They seem to be frustrated by the current o promoting better economic governance;

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Crisis in the MENA Region: Five Challenges to address Ms Maria Losacco called “Dutch disease”) and the exposure to trade shocks are factors undoubtedly contributing to increased political insta- bility and proneness to conflict. ecent protests in the Middle East and changes, but problems will remain and RNorth Africa came quite unexpectedly. the region will still need to rise to the chal- Yet nobody should really be surprised, as lenges involved. The third challenge is the scarcity of nat- the recipe for disaster has been there for ural resources. With the “second-fastest- a long time. growing population after Sub-Saharan Af- The region has been trying to hold out The first of these challenges is demo- rica” (Clemens Breisinger, Food Security and against pressure on several fronts, such graphic growth. The population is grow- Economic Development in the Middle East as demographic growth, unemployment, ing at an annual rate of 1.7%, and tripled and North Africa. Current State and Future food dependence, scarcity of natural re- from 100 million in 1960 to more than 300 Perspectives, IFPRI, May 2010, pp. 33-34), sources, spill-over effects of regional con- million in 2006 (Clemens Breisinger, Food there is increasing demand in the Middle flicts, and economic crises – problems that Security and Economic Development in the East and North Africa for already scarce most Middle Eastern governments have Middle East and North Africa. Current State natural resources – especially water. largely underestimated. and Future Perspectives, IFPRI, May 2010, p. The situation would be sufficiently serious Recent revolutions could even prove to 3) – making the region’s population one of even without considering that the region be a successful lead-up to the longed-for the youngest in the world. Many Middle will continue to be affected by climate change, which is expected to further reduce fresh water availability and decrease Maria Losacco is Programme crop yields, exposing more people to the Coordinator of the Near East, Fig. 1: Population aged 0-29 years (percentage of total) - year 2005 risk of hunger, disease, water stress and North Africa and Europe Division poverty (Alex Evans, Resource Scarcity, Cli- at International Fund for Agricul- mate Change and the Risk of Violent Con- ture Development (IFAD). She has flict, World Development Report 2011, Back- also cooperated with the Italian ground Paper, September 2010, pp. 4-14). Centre for Higher Defence Studies (CASD), the Italian Military Centre for Strategic Studies (CeMiSS), the The fourth challenge is dependence Italian Atlantic Committee and on food imports. The balance to reach in the NATO Defense College. terms of food security is dependent on The opinions expressed in this ar- both supply and demand. On the demand ticle are her own and must not be Caravane de la libération side, food requirements have increased attributed to the NATO Defense hand in hand with the population and College or to the North Atlantic join insurgent groups, as the overwhelm- direct consequences of high dependence with changes in dietary habits related to Treaty Organization. ing percentage of young uneducated on the oil sector (Iraq National Report on higher income – for example, people eat men in the ranks of rebel groups shows the Status of Human Development 2008, more meat and animal products, creat- (Sarah Stavetaig, The Young and the Rest- Ministry of Planning and Development ing the need for more cereals and water. less: Population Age Structure and Civil War, Cooperation, Iraq, 2008, p. 45). On the supply side, scarcity of natural re- Woodrow Wilson Center, ECSP 11, 2005, pp. sources (farmland and water) and unfa- Data source: E. Leahy 12-13). The 8 million people living in rural areas vourable climatic conditions put serious and depending on agriculture have been strains on food production. Eastern countries are, indeed, experienc- It is true that on the one hand, if the labour Statistically, the risk of conflict for coun- affected by the decrease in the contribu- The region is today – and will remain – the ing rapid growth of a young population: market succeeds in absorbing the surplus tries with youth bulges of 35% is three tion of agriculture to GDP – from 35% in most food-dependent in the world and, as Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, the West Bank of young job seekers, a large number of times higher than for countries with a 1978 to 6.5 % in 2008. the riots in protest against food price in- and Gaza, Syria and Iraq can be classified young people can become an advantage youth population in line with the average If properly administered, oil revenues creases in 2007-2008 showed, there is real as very young (those aged between 0 and – economic diversification and flexibility for developed countries. could be a blessing. But in many Mid- potential for food security issues to affect 29 years account for approximately 67% of the market being a prerequisite in this dle Eastern countries, the mechanisms political stability and trigger conflict. or more of total population – see Fig. 1, in respect. On the other hand, the presence to translate oil wealth into sustainable red), while the remaining countries can be of a large young population in countries The second challenge is dependence on growth are completely missing, resulting classified as having a young population with few economic opportunities and a oil. Creating job opportunities in countries in what has been labelled the “oil curse”. The fifth challenge is the cost of conflict, (Fig. 1, in yellow). limited rate of social change exacerbates largely dependent on oil wealth would re- The lack of policies effectively addressing which has been extremely high. Apart unemployment and fuels frustration. quire a drastic route change. As a matter the usual negative effects of oil wealth at from all the war-related effects resulting Age structure does matter in predicting Young unemployed men trapped in pov- of fact, oil is not a labour-intensive sector: national level (e.g. poor economic perfor- from decades of conflict, the region is also the probability of conflict, as countries erty and unemployment are more likely to in Iraq, for example, the oil sector accounts mance, corruption, authoritarian rule, re- the most militarized in the world, with 7 with a predominantly very young popula- aggravated food insecurity. for 70% of the GDP but employs less than duction of agriculture and non-resource of the world’s top 10 military spenders – a tion are found to be more exposed to risk A recent study of the Strategic Foresight 2% of the labour force, so that unemploy- sectors, and related lack of economic use of financial resources that might have of conflict. Group has assessed the economic, hu- ment and poverty can be considered as opportunities – manifestations of the so- contributed to the spread of poverty and

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NATO Partnership in the MENA Region LtCol Mario Masdea man, military, environmental, social, political, diplomatic and psychological costs of recent wars in the Middle East, using 97 different parameters.

For example, between 1991 and 2010 lost opportunities were assessed at $12 trillion dollars in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the internal strife in Lebanon, and the U.S. invasion of Iraq. There was a dra- matic impact on per capita income – for instance, an actual 2010 level of about $2,400 instead of $9,600 in Iraq, $1,800 instead of almost $3,000 in Egypt, $5,600 instead of around $ 11,000 in Lebanon, and $23,000 instead of $44,000 in Israel. Tahrir Square during Friday of Departure

The strategic importance of the Middle countries and enter a new era. The key is their expertise in different sectors (e.g. the East and the need for stability there in to support Arab countries in solving the military sector, economy, human rights, the interests of the international commu- problems behind the popular revolutions, international law, scientific research) to nity have been emphasized many times in instead of just waiting for regime change. find models/solutions – and not necessar- His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Karem is a His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Abdul the past, with several initiatives aimed at Besides the attention paid to what this ily Western ones – that could work for the former Ambassador of the Arab Repu- Ghaffar is the Chairman of the Board fostering cooperation between the two Arab spring will bring, and all the efforts Arab countries. blic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Belgium of Trustees for the Bahrain Center for shores of the Mediterranean. It is now to ensure smooth political transitions and and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Strategic, International and Energy time to move from good intentions to ac- protect Arab people, the NATO, the EU and Head of Mission of Egypt to the Europe- Studies, and a Diplomatic Advisor to tion, and to help Arab people build new the international community should use an Community and Permanent Repre- H.M. the King of Bahrain. sentative of Egypt to NATO. The opinions expressed in this inter- The opinions expressed in this interview view are his own and must not be at- Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque, Cairo are his own and must not be attributed tributed to the NATO Defense College to the NATO Defense College or to the or to the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- North Atlantic Treaty Organization. nization.

he winds of change are sweeping NATO, the ICI, the Mediterranean Dia- This is because some countries think that Tthrough the MENA countries, leading to logue and the Gulf Region have been doing things of limited importance from the establishment of new governments in cooperating for a long time at different a military point of view is time-consum- several of them. levels – political, military and strategic. ing, and means that there is not a great The NATO Defense College, as the Which aspect do you think has been best deal of interest in improving the security Alliance’s premier think tank, has been developed to date in this cooperation, relationship between NATO and specific paying close attention to developments and which has been least developed? countries. So we hope that NATO will re- in this vitally important Region and, ear- think some of these partnerships with ICI lier in the year, organized a Middle East countries in order to deepen the relations Panel entitled “The Arab Explosion and Ambassador Dr Muhammad Abdul Ghaffar: concerned. And, if you remember what I Prospects for Stability in the Region”. We mentioned a while ago in my remarks, interviewed two of the panellists, Ambas- I think the beginning was, as you know, after what happened in the region, we sador Dr Muhammad Abdul Ghaffar from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, and feel specifically that there is a possible Bahrain and Ambassador Dr Mahmoud then there was a more developed idea – threat there from Iran. Accordingly, we in Karem from Egypt. that is, cooperation between individual the Gulf Cooperation Council as a whole countries and NATO. But from personal have very strong relations with the West experience, I see that the ICI has started generally speaking – Europe and the USA. to decline a little. Maybe there are many This means that the entire process of reasons for this. One of the reasons, from democratic development, economic and my point of view, is that the countries social development is interconnected involved, or the countries which joined the with security development, so we really ICI (at least some of them – I can’t speak need to rethink – and give greater promi- for all of them), feel that we need a deeper nence to – the relationship between NATO relationship with NATO. and the GCC.

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when you kill civilians by mistake in Libya something like that. came to the recent events there. Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem: the whole Arab world will ask what is NATO Because you get questions like, for exam- And then we realized that some legitimate doing there, so at the same time you have ple – and I was a member of the Board of demands which are made by some young I think, having spent two years on the to weigh this up when undertaking this the NRCC for two years – “What is the ex- Bahraini people were hijacked by radicals, Board, that this is an essential, crucial kind of project. tent of possible rights which cooperating and we found that the radicals are con- initiative that is building confidence be- with NATO in the Mediterranean as part nected in many ways with Iran. tween the parties and is developing the of ‘Active Endeavour’ gives Israel towards image of the NATO in our part of the Syrian or United Arab Emirates vessels at world, not through public diplomacy but Do you think that military cooperation, sea?” So this is the kind of sensitivity that Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem: through this kind of interaction between one of the multidimensional aspects, we see in our part of the world. the parties – explaining what NATO is re- could be the tool to foster this relation- So when you proceed with this kind of rela- I think it was not a surprise, it was a mat- ally about, in the new millennium, that we ship between NATO and the countries of tionship you should never – and I am sure ter of time for the region to achieve politi- sit together and we do classroom discus- the region? you do not – give the impression that your cal reforms, good governance, democracy sion exercises and so on. And yes, it was relationship with Israel is at the expense of and transparency and so on; the whole my dream as a member of the Board to The Middle East Panel with the NDC Commandant your relationship with the Arab world, that world was changing and our country was have Oman and Saudi Arabia. Yes, we have Ambassador Dr Muhammad Abdul Ghaffar: you are giving Israel some sort of preferen- moving to an election that was, I think, the Saudi Arabia today; this is a very signifi- tial military status. This kind of balance is of biggest mistake of the century in terms of cant development that is happening in the Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem: bating international terrorism, and also to I think that first comes a political under- fundamental importance in your relation- parliamentary elections. course, where you have Saudi Arabia as a say to our NATO friends and partners that standing, so we have to formulate those ship with our part of the world. And there was also an issue of regime, with member of this training initiative, hoping On the Mediterranean Dialogue, I think it is not Islam which is responsible for ter- concepts, which I think are also mentioned the wish to deliver the power from father that in the future that this will grow to a it is very important to say that this is a rorism as an international phenomenon; in the new Strategic Concept, related to to son. So I mean at grass roots level, the Middle East College – why not? It is about dialogue that has been going on more we found a great deal of understanding, partnership, because at the end NATO is a foundation of what happened was already time we were all able to dream that the than a decade, and it is older than the among our NATO partners, that terrorism political organisation – yes, of course it’s a Do you agree that recent events in the there, and the old regime put the lid on embryo will grow and become what we Cooperation Initiative and so on. should not be short-sightedly associated military organisation, but it’s political too. MENA region represent something new, a that issue so it all grew, and it was a matter really want, which we could not do three And in this period of more than ten years, it with the Arab countries or necessarily So if there is no clarity on the political side, transformation which never occurred be- of time before this explosion, or implosion, or four years ago. I hope Oman will be con- has been institutionalized and developed Islamic in origin. One of the misgivings we cannot move on the military side. fore? If so, why is it happening now? would occur. sidered, you have key members, you have to establish further confidence between about the dialogue was that we could not I mentioned in answer to the first question There are some good things that are hap- Bahrain, and you have many officers who the Mediterranean partners and NATO come out with a political declaration. that there is a feeling that the ICI gradu- pening. We are speaking of 30 years – actu- are attending the course, you have Kuwait members. And I think that, in my capacity All that happened at the level of the Forum ally is declining, because it started with a Ambassador Dr Muhammad Abdul Ghaffar: ally much longer than that, because Egypt (one of the first to join the ICI). So there as Ambassador to NATO in 2009, a great for Ministries was very open, helpful and military brief without understanding and has been under the military from 1952 are a lot of good initiatives in this regard, appreciation of the need for confidence useful, but with no really tangible results formulating a political concept involving This social movement is new. From my until today. We are hoping that this revolu- I hope they will grow. emerged as the result of this informal way and, even at the level of our meetings with these countries and NATO, so I think the point of view, what happened in Tunisia tion will now bring a civilian government of opening transparent consultations be- our NATO members, you could not move political aspect is important and significant and in Egypt was unexpected for many ob- and civilian rule to Egypt, because before tween the parties. I must give NATO the ahead, you could not move forward. Of in order to delineate exactly the relationship servers, and it happened because people the revolution, if you asked anyone, they Ambassador Dr Muhammad Abdul Ghaffar: credit, NATO was always sensitive to the course you have an established conceptu- between the two sides. want change, dignity and freedom. These would say that Egypt will be always be political issues. al dialogue, and you meet regularly and so are very important elements which we ruled by a military leader. I think this is a very significant programme, Until 2009 the issue of the Arabs did on, but you need results. So we could not have to think about. Well, the revolution now has brought a and I hope that planning for the future not become a real stumbling block, but really achieve this step beyond dialogue, Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Karem: On the other side, of course, there are fac- new element, a civilian government, a ci- will become even broader because, as my we have all understood that we have a and maybe Mediterranean countries and tors related to the economic crisis, unem- vilian presidential committee (three civil- colleague said, it is extremely important really serious problem in our part of the NATO should not be blamed, maybe again On the question of military cooperation, ployment, mismanagement of the econo- ians and one military), everything is shift- that you bring people to interact with world, and at the same time that we need we are forced to take the real situation in of course this is a military Alliance, but you my and corruption. ing towards civilian rule. And, of course, each other. This allows them to see what to move on and we need to negotiate, our region into full account, and this is have also made very bold moves to effect All these things have, I think, accumulated many of the political religious groups that NATO is about, and in the same way NATO to talk and to put our differences on the why I argue today it is very important to a political transformation of the Alliance for years, indeed for decades, until the existed underground came up, they will officers can understand what our officers table, and see what we can do together. move ahead to these political issues, and too. And in Afghanistan, for example, the people started to explode. So that’s why in come up. They will have to reform and think about military issues and political is- So actually, everyone understood how to move into humanitarian and peace Alliance agreed that the solution will never my remarks I mentioned that, in Bahrain, they have to establish political parties, and sues, because I see that many officers need serious the Arab-Israeli conflict was and projects, science and technology projects. be military and has to be multi-faceted. King Hamad started talking about change this brings us to the question of the adapt- a sort of political and strategic education. how it constituted an impediment to in- Given your role in world diplomacy, you Ambassador Mohammed has already as early as 1999, even before the start of ability of the Turkish model and whether it ternational business security, but did not can do a lot to help in terms of seminars, mentioned that the military dimension is European influence. may be applied to Egypt. stop the Mediterranean Dialogue. Now on but now is the time for serious science important but it is not the only solution At that time he had the perception that the issue itself, I think the Mediterranean and technology in mining, for using trust for the future, and that development of change is important and the potential for Dialogue developed to consider issues of funds to turn tanks into tractors, for wa- sound, healthy cooperation with our part progress is to be found there; progress is great importance to all the parties con- ter irrigation, for projects in terms of civil of the world is needed; and at the same the aim, so he inherited a good economy Here in the NATO Defense College, twice cerned, such as combating terrorism and contingency planning and so on – these time there is growing fear in my part of the when he became the king, economic de- a year we run the NATO Regional Coop- also weapons of mass destruction, and are the kind of projects that will help to world that somehow there is this strong velopment was good, the percentage of eration Course, trying to achieve mutual cooperation in military projects such as develop NATO’s image in our part of the military cooperation between NATO and unemployment was good, but he had understanding between officials and “Active Endeavour” and so on. In this very world. Remember, whenever there is the Israel, so my argument is always that NATO the vision that we have to start from now, officers coming from NATO countries, open and transparent milieu, it became sort of collateral damage that happened has to be very careful in this regard, even because we cannot say that everything is Mediterranean Dialogue, ICI and Gulf possible for us to see what we can do in in Afghanistan and/or Libya, the image of if it is in terms of a “so far” agreement or fine. We have to progress all the more now countries. Do you think this is a good ini- terms of cooperation on the issue of com- NATO suffers and we have to accept that, an agreement on military equipment or and we have to develop more, and that tiative? What do you think we could do to was where Bahrain was successful until we improve this kind of course?

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20 21 Shooting the Breeze Vox Collegii Volume III Shooting the Breeze

Building Consensus

Ms Valerie Kasseckert is also a challenge in the other direction, For him the international environment is a What is the purpose of this paper? Who is for all the native English speakers in the great opportunity to work with colleagues interested in the findings of your paper? Committee, as they are mostly selected to from all around the globe, to see their dif- be the project secretary. This means they ferent points of view, and to learn how It is still early to say, but for sure what we have to revise the whole document and others approach things. see and learn here will change our way of to give it a more natural flow, so it doesn’t thinking and the way we approach things sound like nine distinct writers but one and that is the most important outcome voice. Overall, we can say that the biggest How did you choose your topic? of this whole project. challenge is to build consensus under the We are not sure if we will need this spe- pressure of time. The Senior Course – and We had a pool of topics through the study cific knowledge later on, but we are cer- this project specifically – is great training project guide, which includes suggestions tain that with this project we learn how to for us as NATO senior officers, as it makes based on topics that have been chosen organize ourselves together with others, us familiar with using databases and the by other committees at NDC before. Of we experience how to manage informa- process of collecting information for re- course everybody had his own ideas and tion and, most importantly, we learn how search purposes – skills we may need in we tried to combine them somehow into to communicate ideas in a multinational our future career. a topic that would be interesting to every- working group. And in the end this is the We therefore see this as great practice, one, until one of our colleagues came up aim of the Senior Course, to prepare us for because we certainly know that we have with this topic on NATO nuclear policy and an international working environment. to deal with time pressures in real life too. we all agreed upon it. And time pressures do not always have to It seemed to us like something really new, be bad, in fact they often help to reach it was not stated in the project guide as How do you see the academic support consensus, because if we had more time, a potential topic – it just bubbled up to from the NDC in writing this paper? decisions would simply be postponed. the surface, since the release of the new Strategic Concept has instigated more The support of the NDC is excellent. For and more discussion on nuclear issues in this project we also have the support of a In a multicultural team, how do you per- politics worldwide. We also went through professional mentor. Professor Yost is very he NATO Defense College’s primary We interviewed the members of Senior avoid duplications and to make sure that T ceive cultural diversity? Is it more a chal- the history of study projects of previous responsive and helps us greatly with his goal is to prepare senior officers, diplo- Course 118 Committee 8, who dedicated the individual parts are within the scope of lenge to reach consensus, or do you see Senior Courses, and it has been a consid- support. He not only provides us with im- mats and civilian officials for NATO and their paper to the subject of NATO’s nucle- the project. A paper of 25 pages may not it as an opportunity to share ideas and erable amount of time since there was one portant information and valuable sources, NATO-related positions. The Senior Course ar policy. sound much, but it is fairly long for a proj- points of view? on NATO’s nuclear policy, so we thought it but also gives us fresh food for thought. is the College’s main programme, which This is a very interesting topic, especially in ect of this quality. We devote a lot of time was probably time to at least take a newer The library is well stocked and is the per- educates participants over a period of five the light of NATO’s newly released Strate- to in-depth research which requires our We think this is just the right way to learn and fresher look at it. In addition, we have fect place to conduct research, allowing us months in strategic thinking, collaborative gic Concept which aims to guarantee the utmost attention and care. how to work within NATO. NATO is an Alli- to say that we were very fortunate to have to find almost everything we need. And if decision-making skills, and working in a relevance of the Alliance to new security ance of 28 nations, if we want to work for a mentor who is a real expert on nuclear we cannot find the information ourselves, multinational environment. Cultural sen- challenges – including a re-evaluation of this Alliance we naturally have to deal with issues. we always receive great support and help sitivity, languages and consensus-building the role of nuclear weapons. What are the main challenges of this a multicultural environment. Of course we from the excellent library staff. ability are essential factors for achieving project? face the normal problems that are related success in an international career. to building consensus, but with each pro- How do you conduct research in a group This project requires us to be flexible and cess of reaching an agreement we learn We decided to take a closer look at one of 10 persons? How do you manage infor- to take on several tasks simultaneously, something more. In other words, we rec- part of the study program, namely the mation and how to you merge individual as it is not the only assignment we have ognize the fact that we come from differ- The proliferation of nuclear committee project, where course mem- work into a paper of twenty-five pages? during the Senior Course. Other tasks ent nations with different cultural back- weapons and other weapons bers conduct research in groups of nine or like individual papers, field studies or the grounds, without speculating whether it is of mass destruction, and their ten and write a collective paper on a cur- We agreed on sharing the workload by preparations involved for acting as expert an advantage or not. In any case, we think means of delivery, threatens rent NATO-related topic. forming smaller groups within the Com- of the day take up a lot of our time. We can that disagreeing on something is not nec- In this multinational setting, participants mittee. Each group thus collects material therefore say that one of the biggest chal- incalculable consequences for essarily connected with cultural diversity, develop skills and acquire working tech- and sources on a sub-topic within the gen- lenges of a project of this scope, with so global stability and prosperity. but more with individual personality. niques which have recently come to be eral outline of the project, meaning that many people involved, is to prioritize and During the next decade, To some extent it may be a new experi- known as “human interoperability” – abili- the coordination of sources and material is not lose sight of time and of all the tasks proliferation will be most acute ence to adapt to this way of working. As ties which are needed in the fast-moving primarily done within the smaller groups. involved – in short, training our multitask- military officers, we are used to having in some of the world’s most and rapidly changing security environ- The parts which are prepared there are ing skills. a highly sophisticated command chain volatile regions. ment of the 21st century. then coordinated in a general meeting Another challenge for many of us is lan- where we receive orders without having But what does this look like in practice? with the whole committee. guage. Most of us are not native speakers much influence on them ourselves. For (Excerpt from the NATO’s New How do we train people in “human in- In addition, we have a timeline which is of English, and for very specific topics this Strategic Concept) some of us it may be a new experience to teroperability”? a great help to us in staying on track and becomes a big challenge, not only be- sit around a table, listening to everybody’s This short interview gives us a rapid in- not missing the objective of the project. cause it takes us longer to grasp the idea opinion and negotiating a common deci- sight into how course members from nine Several meetings are scheduled for the of a text or because we may need more sion. For our colleague from Iraq, the Se- different nations work together, how they committee as a whole, when the parts pre- time to read in a foreign language, but nior Course and this project are a great ex- perceive cultural diversity and what they pared in the sub-committees are merged also because it may lead to misinterpreta- perience and a real chance to learn about see as the main challenges of this project. together. This is very important in order to tions of the material. On the other hand, it the Alliance and the way we work here.

22 23 Shooting the Breeze Vox Collegii Volume III Shooting the Breeze

Building Consensus

22 23 Work in progress Vox Collegii Volume III Highlights

Senior Course 118 Our Courses Conference of Commandants - 40th Edition, Cracow Mr Patrick Marrone

Conference of Commandants Origins The Conference of Commandants was established by Vice-Admiral J.C. O’Brien (Canada), Commandant of the NATO Defense College from 1970 to 1973, acting on a suggestion from Rear Admiral S. Mathwin DAVIS, the Commandant of the Canadian De- fense College. The CoC is always chaired by the NDC Commandant.

ARMENIA FRANCE ITALY POLAND TURKEY Couns. A. GALSTYAN Col G. DANÈS LtCdr M. BONU LtCol P. JANUSZ LtCol N. BOZKAYA Col E. LANDES Col V. CENCINI Capt. J. TOMKO Ms H. DOLABÇI Capt. O. LEBAS Cdr S. COSTANTINO Mr B. ERDOGAN Col F. LEFEBVRE LtCol M. MACIOCE LtCol K. GÜNLER Col P. LEOPOLD Cdr R. MICELLI First Secr. M.E. KİRAZ AZERBAIJAN Capt. V. LIOT de NORTBECOURT Cdr A. SIMI Mr O. SOYLU PORTUGAL Third Secr. G. MAMMADOVA Col J. PELLISTRANDI LtCol V. VIVALDI LtCdr H. TURKER Cdr J.P. MAURÍCIO BARBOSA he 40th Conference of Comman- with the necessary skills to address the Tdants (CoC), chaired by Lieutenant Gen- challenges posed by an international eral Wolf-Dieter Loeser, Commandant scenario in a state of constant flux. GEORGIA of the NATO Defense College, was held As has become customary at the CoC, Conference of Commandants Logo JAPAN QATAR BELGIUM Second Secr. N. BEJANISHVILI from Sunday 29th May to Wednesday 1st topics were examined through a series LtCol G. LEEMAN Cdr S. TAKAHASHI Col M. AL MARRI UKRAINE June in Cracow (Poland). The Conference of “Thinking Platforms” and also featured LtCol J.P. NOCART Col V. SHKURAT brought together over 120 participants, a discussion exercise, as a forum for representing a total of 60 institutions in development of a conceptual model to The Conference proposes, firstly, to facili- GERMANY tate the exchange of information between REPUBLIC OF KOREA 39 different countries. Sunday’s opening accommodate regional groupings. Mr M.E. BRAND MAURITANIA reception, before the start of the academic those responsible for higher defence edu- Capt. Y.H. LEE CANADA Col K.D. KOHL Col M.L. MOHAMED EL UNITED ARAB EMIRATES cation, with a view to improving curricula proceedings, was hosted by Major General The four “Thinking Platforms” were held LtCol P. COOPER LtCol A. KORB MOUSTAPHA Col I. AL BESHER st R. Ratajczak, Rector-Commandant of the during the morning of Tuesday 31 May. and teaching methods. Secondly, it aims LtCol L. GUILLETTE Mr D. RAUSER Col A. AL NUAIMI Polish National Defence University (Aka- The discussions started with input from to promote cooperation in higher defence LtCol J. JANZEN Cdr SG J. SCHMIDT- SLOVENIA demia Obrony Narodowej). Brigadier General J.D. Testé (FRA), who education between Colleges in NATO Mrs K. McLEAN THOMÉE Mr O. WENDELSTORF LtCol T. RADOŠEVIČ chaired the first TP on “Delivering Higher countries, the Partnership for Peace (PfP), MOROCCO th On Monday 30 May, Major General Defense Education in a Financially Constrained the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), the Col C. LAHJOUJI Ratajczak formally welcomed participants Environment: Doing More with Less”. Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and UNITED KINGDOM before giving the floor to Lieutenant General The closing TP, on “The New Strategic others. CZECH REPUBLIC SPAIN WgCdr R. DEACON Loeser for the official opening of the Con- Concept and the Partnership”, was chaired Col Z. POSTULKA GREECE LtCol R. ARMADA VÁZQUEZ Cdr R.K. FEAR Col K. KARATSIN Mr R. HAMBER ference. As Chairman of the CoC, Lieuten- by Major General C. Branco (PRT). NETHERLANDS LtCol P.E. BELMONTE GIMENEZ Capt. L. TSIANTOULAS Capt. D. HELEY ant General Loeser thanked the event’s The Conference of Commandants was Capt. G. POLET LtCol R. LLOVERA ATAZ Col I. TSINTILAS WgCdr M.C. WELLS Polish hosts for their generous hospitality established by Vice-Admiral J.C. O’Brien Capt. O. VAN LENT LtCol J. MURGA MARTINEZ

LtCol E. WILLEMS LtCol V. OLOMBRADA VALVERDE and organization. The importance of the (Canada), Commandant of the NATO DENMARK event was underlined by the presence of Defense College from 1970 to 1973. It was Cdr SG A. MIKKELSEN the Polish Minister of Defence, Mr Bogdan held every year in Rome from May 1972 Brig.Gen. M.A.L.T. NIELSEN HUNGARY UNITED STATES Klich and the Chief of the Polish General until 1988. Since then the Conference LtCol Z. APÁTI SWITZERLAND Cdr E. CROSSMAN Staff, General Mieczyslaw Cieniuch. has continued to reconvene periodically NORWAY Col P. BRUNS Many issues of common interest were in Rome, but has also been hosted with LtCol E. ARNTZEN Lt.Col. S. DAVIS discussed, such as the requirement to increasing frequency by its member Mr L. HANSEN LtCol C. FREEMAN LtCol M. PUGLISI ensure that senior officers are equipped institutions in their respective countries. ESTONIA Mrs J.E.L. SERVAN Col A. SUZIK IRAQ Cdr G. THORKILDSEN Col C. SHORT LtCol W.J.B. ABOOD TUNISIA LtCol R. STUEWE Col H. TOMAY Col M. BOUSNINA Col B. SULLIVAN 24 25 Work in progress Vox Collegii Volume III Highlights

Senior Course 118 Our Courses Conference of Commandants - 40th Edition, Cracow Mr Patrick Marrone

Our Courses NATO Regional Cooperation Course 5 Our Courses

Modular Short Course 118-1 Modular Short Course 118-2

ALGERIA ISRAEL PORTUGAL LtCol E. BELKAIM Mr D. GOVRIN LtCol C.J. DE OLIVEIRA RIBEIRO Modular Short Course 118-3 LtCol F. MERDACI

ITALY SAUDI ARABIA AUSTRIA LtCol L. AMOROSA Col J. SCHRÖFL Brig.Gen. H.B.A.A. AL GHOBAISH LtCol M. POMPEI Mr H. AL RASHID

EGYPT JORDAN Col Y. ABDELSALAM Ms A.S.N. ABU ASSAM SPAIN Col A. GOMAA LtCol Y. ELEIMAT Col R. ROPERO BOLIVAR LtCol R. OBEIDAT

GERMANY TUNISIA Col F. SCHLOSSER KUWAIT LtCol C. KHELIFA Mr F.M. AL-SABAH Capt. O. KOUKI

Modular Short Course 118-4 Modular Short Course 118-5 GREECE LtCol D. GERONTOGIANNIS MAURITANIA UNITED STATES Col M. OULD BOLLE LtCol A.J. MOYER LtCol M. TAGHIOULLAH OULD NEMA LtCol P. TATE With its modularized structure, certain of the Senior Course (SC) Run in conjunction with the SC, each MSC is designed to both Study Periods are available to military officers and civilian officials inform and stimulate. They give participants the opportunity to IRAQ Mr S.N.A. ALNUMANY who may not be able to attend the NATO Defense College (NDC) for improve their knowledge and develop their understanding of some Mr H. DHARI the six-month duration of a Senior Course. Accordingly, during each of the key political, economic, socio-cultural, defence and security- Senior Course the NDC offers five Modular Short Courses (MSCs) of related issues which may have worldwide implications for global 5 days’ duration. and Alliance security.

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Our Courses NATO Regional Cooperation Course 5 Our Courses

Modular Short Course 118-1 Modular Short Course 118-2

ALGERIA ISRAEL PORTUGAL LtCol E. BELKAIM Mr D. GOVRIN LtCol C.J. DE OLIVEIRA RIBEIRO Modular Short Course 118-3 LtCol F. MERDACI

ITALY SAUDI ARABIA AUSTRIA LtCol L. AMOROSA Col J. SCHRÖFL Brig.Gen. H.B.A.A. AL GHOBAISH LtCol M. POMPEI Mr H. AL RASHID

EGYPT JORDAN Col Y. ABDELSALAM Ms A.S.N. ABU ASSAM SPAIN Col A. GOMAA LtCol Y. ELEIMAT Col R. ROPERO BOLIVAR LtCol R. OBEIDAT

GERMANY TUNISIA Col F. SCHLOSSER KUWAIT LtCol C. KHELIFA Mr F.M. AL-SABAH Capt. O. KOUKI

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Roma 3 University students

On 14 and 15 March 2011, a group of 41 students attending the Master’s degree course in Peacekeeping and Security Studies at the “Roma Tre” University Faculty of Political Sciences visited the NATO Defense College. For the students it was a very good opportunity to experience a first contact with the NDC, and learn about NATO’s structure, aims and relations with other important organizations working in the field of international security and peacekeeping.

Brigadier General Yousuf Abdulla Yousuf BEHZAD, the Commandant of Bahrain’s Royal Command and Staff College, presents a gift to GFOAC 2011-1 the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER.

The NATO Defense College’s Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course (GFOAC) ran from 2 to 6 May in Rome. Thirty-two course A delegation from the Bahrain Defense Forces visited the NATO members from 20 different nations participated in the first of two GFOAC’s to be held this year. Nations from NATO, the Mediterranean Defense College from 14 to 16 February 2011, to discuss our courses Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), and the Partnership for Peace were represented along with Iraq and South Korea. and activities, and share views on academic experiences that may For the first time, the World Food Programme also had a representative attending the course. The theme for GFOAC 2011-1 was “NATO in an be of interest in future programs for the Bahrain Defense Forces. Era of Active Engagement and Modern Defence.” In a wide-ranging series of lectures, the course members also heard presentations about The visit occurred in advance of the planned Senior Course 118 the Transatlantic Link, NATO and the Middle East and North Africa, NATO and Russia, Globalisation and the Impact on Defense and Security field study visit to Bahrain, and is indicative of the important Policy, Afghanistan and Pakistan as a Strategic Crossroads, and the Future Character of Warfare. and continuing cooperation between the NDC and the Bahrain Defense Forces.

Middle East Panellists with NDC Commandant

The broader Middle East is currently undergoing a period of remar- kable change. The NATO Defense College (NDC) is very interested in the developments taking place in the region and, on 7 April 2011, organized a Panel entitled “Current Developments in the Broader Middle East and Prospects for Stability”. The event was attended by participants from the fifth NATO Regional Cooperation Course and Senior Course 118, Faculty and Staff of the NDC, as well as students from Università Roma Tre, the American University of Rome and John Cabot University.

H.E. Menouar ALEM, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the EU (centre), with NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER (first from right), NRCC Director Col. Sandy GUPTILL, and NRCC Faculty Advisors Dr Florence GAUB and Dr Rolf SCHWARZ

Thursday 17 March 2011 The Ambassador’s visit, the first by a Moroccan Ambassador to IPOC 2011 / 1 the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC), was significant in strengthening relations between the NATO Defense College (NDC) IPOC 2011/1 on “NATO present and future” was held at the College from 11 to 15 April 2011, in conjunction with Senior Course 118. The aim and Morocco. of the course is to analyze the role and character of NATO, including its organization, policies and activities, to consider the contribution of the Alliance to security, and the transformation necessary to remain relevant to the changing security environment and the demands of current operations.

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Roma 3 University students

Middle East Panellists with NDC Commandant

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Academic Advisory Board (AAB) 2011

On 19 May 2011 the 41st meeting of the NATO Defense College Academic Advisory Board took place on College premises in Rome. The Academic Advisory Board is a crucial forum for discussion of present and future NATO Defense College programs, including the revising of curricula and the continuous updating of activities in order to keep the education process in line with the real challenges Johns Hopkins University students that the Allies are facing today and will face in the future.

A group of students from Johns Hopkins University (Bologna Center) attending the Master’s degree course in International Relations visited the NATO Defense College on 28 April 2011.

Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER shows the NDC History Wall The War Academy of Turkey visited the NATO Defense College on to President NAPOLITANO and NATO Secretary General RASMUSSEN. 19 April 2011. Dr Andrew MONAGHAN from NDC Research Division delivered a lecture on NATO-Russia relations. On 20 May 2011 the celebrations for the NATO Defense College’s 60th Anniversary culminated in the military ceremony hosting the highest officials and representatives of NATO and Partner Countries. A special moment was the unveiling of the NDC History Wall and the complementary Senior Course Column, in the College’s main entrance. This remembrance area, designed by the Public Affairs Office for the 60th anniversary celebrations, presents photographic highlights of the College’s history with brief explanatory texts.

The President of the Republic of Hungary, Mr. Pál SCHMITT, with NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER

On Friday 3 June 2011 the NATO Defense College was honoured by the presence of the President of the Republic of Hungary, Mr. Pál Schmitt. President Schmitt delivered a most stimulating lecture to Senior Course 118 and afterwards spent time with leading members of the Hungarian Community, including the Ambassador to Italy, Mr Janos Balla, and the Ambassador to the Vatican, Mr Györiványi Gábor. This was the first visit to the NATO Defense College by a Hungarian The Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Di PAOLA, unveils President and highlights the importance the College attaches to its the Distinguished Senior Course Anciens Wall. cooperation with the Republic of Hungary.

NRCC-5 Graduates with NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOE- Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Arman KIRAKOSSIAN, SER, LtGen GASKIN and NRCC Faculty & Staff with NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER

On 13 May 2011, the graduation ceremony for NATO Regional On Friday 3 June 2011 the College was honoured by the visit of the Cooperation Course 5 (NRCC-5) took place. The NRCC is a ten-week Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Arman Kirakossian. course for participants from NATO, the Mediterranean Dialogue He gave a lecture entitled “Problems of Regional Security and (MD), the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), and other intere- Cooperation in the South Caucasus: a view from Yerevan”, attended sted nations. The graduation address was delivered by Lieutenant by Senior Course 118. General Walter E. Gaskin, Deputy Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee.

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Academic Advisory Board (AAB) 2011

A group of students from Johns Hopkins University (Bologna Center) attending the Master’s degree course in International Relations visited the NATO Defense College on 28 April 2011.

The President of the Republic of Hungary, Mr. Pál SCHMITT, with NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER

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Our Guests

Italian Defence General Staff 9th Joint Logistic Course

On Thursday 9 June 2011 the NATO Defense College hosted a group of Officers from the Italian 9th Joint Logistic Course, who attended a lecture in the Main Auditorium on “Israel and the Palestinians”. Cooperation between the NATO Defense College and the Italian Ministry of Defence is excellent and officers on the Logistic Course are regular visitors to the College.

A group of officers from the National Defence University of Poland attending the “Postgraduate Defence Policy Studies” visited the NATO Defense College on Tuesday 14 June 2011.

Visit of the Slovenian Armed Forces delegation from Command and Staff School to the NATO Defense College, 15 June 2011.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly Delegation

On Thursday 7th July the NATO Defense College hosted a delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, composed of 24 members of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Defence and Security Cooperation (DSCTC).