NRDC-GR HERALD THE MAGAZINE OF NATO RAPID DEPLOYABLE CORPS-

July - December 2020 / Issue 15

The right medium for transmitting specific messages to your target audiences during a crisis situation “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” The MC LCC Challenge

Protection of Civilians and Border Management: Hellenic Challenge 2020 Issues for exploitation

2nd Mountain Brigade - Romania Disinformation in pandemic times NRDC·GR July - December 2020/Issue 15 Overview erald EDITORIAL BOARD COMMUNICATION DIVISION/Public Affairs Office (PAO) Chief PAO OF-5 (GRC A) Thomas SYRPAS D.Chief PAO EDITORIAL OF-4 (GRC A) Athanasios PAPATHANASIOU PA SOs Dear reader, OF-4 (GRC A) Paschalis KAMPOURIS OF-3 (GRC N) Athina SMYRLIDOU OF-3 (GRC A) Nikolaos BARMPERIS Everybody agrees that 2020 has been a difficult year Production OF-1 (GRC A) Georgios THEODOROU and for sure the strangest period for our generation. The Combat Camera COVID 19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives OR-7 (GRC A) Konstantinos BALAMPANOS OR-6 (GRC A) Alexandros ATSKAKANIS and its impact to our daily (personal and professional) Communication Information routine, activities, social habits, etc. is more than significant. Tel.: +30 2310 882452 / IVSN 451-2452 email: [email protected], email: [email protected] Yet, NRDC-GR continued and will continue to operate www.nrdc.gr Twitter: @NRDC-GR Facebook: NATO Rapid Deployeable Corps - Greece and perform its activities. Following the protective protocols, YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/nrdcgreece we continued our training; with EX “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” Commander’s Corner being the highlight of our annual activities, conducted our NRDC-GR Commander’s Corner p.01 conferences and seminars (mainly remotely) and getting Special Guests prepared for the future. • The right medium for transmitting specific messages to your target audiences during a crisis situation p.02 And the future for NRDC-GR has a name: Multi Corps • Protection of Civilians and Border Management: Land Component Command (MC LCC). By the time you Issues for exploitation p.06 read this, MC LCC will be the role of NRDC-GR. Our Articles training, preparation, experimentation and testing has been • Disinformation in pandemic times p.10 focused on this endeavor and some aspects can be found • Cyber terrorists and the right to be forgotten on the Internet p.17 • Deterrence theories and small nuclear states p.19 in the related articles of this issue. But you will find more • How Ancient Greeks Confronted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder p.22 about the subject in the next one, after the Seminar that will • Joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance take place in the upcoming days. in support p.26 •Sustaining half a million soldiers, the new NATO challenge p.29 •Multi-Corp Land Component Command Enjoy the interesting articles we host in this issue and “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” p.34 • “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” The MC LCC challenge p.36 allow us, the Public Affairs Office team to acknowledge • The Importance of Air Ops in Major Land the writers for their contribution. It is more than valuable Centric Operations p.41 • Logistic challenges in Multi Corps Land Operations. and strengthens the goal of PAO to inform NRDC-GR • The NRDC-GR Rear Support Command (RSC) Role p.45 • Contemporary Challenges: Emerging and disruptive Staff, NATO community and the Public about our latest technologies in the south p.48 developments and more. Please, bear in mind that the Affiliated Units views expressed in the articles are those of the contributing • “Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020” p.52 writers and do not represent the official opinion of NRDC- nd • 2 Mountain Brigade - Romania p.56 GR or NATO.

Seminars - Conferences We would like to wish you a happy and prosperous • Final Coordination Conference of Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 2020 p.58 New Year! • NRDC-GR Internship Induction Training p.59 • 16th Plenary Conference p.60 th Hopefully, humanity will win the battle with the • 19 Senior Resources Committee Meeting p.61 • NRDC-GR Cyber Operations seminar p.63 pandemic and we will return back to our normal way of life. Visits - Community Relations • KFOR Commander p.64 • KFOR Chief of Staff p.64 Very respectfully, • Deputy Minister of National Defense p.65 • LANDCOM Commander p.66 • Memorandum of Cooperation between NRDC-GR OF-5 (GRC A) Thomas SYRPAS and International Hellenic University P.67 NRDC-GR Chief Public Affairs Officer ON THE COVER Greek soldier of the NRDC-GR affiliated 71st Airmobile Brigade.

NRDC·GR erald Commander’s Corner

NATO mission given.

After an experimentation period throughout 2020 followed by the declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) as a MC LCC, I am pleased to announce that the “Deep Dive into Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MC-LCC) Operations Seminar” is going to be held by NRDC-GR HQ. The aim of the seminar is to share the knowledge and lessons identified and have a better understanding of the challenges that NATO could face at this level.

Dear reader, During the GOKT20 PH III, we had the pleasure and honor I would like to welcome you to NRDC-GR personnel had to work to welcome and host the Allied the new issue of the “HQ NRDC- in an unprecedented environment Land Command (LANDCOM) GR HERALD”, our bi-annual where strict preventing measures Commander, Lieutenant General review aiming to bring the HQ had to be taken, we managed Roger L. CLOUTIER. During closer to achieving common by acting with high zeal and his visit, we had the opportunity understanding with military and professionalism, to complete the to discuss issues of common non-military audiences, while exercise successfully and stay interest and COM LANDCOM informing them of our mission, safe, as my intention always was. had the opportunity to visit Camp work and future goals towards a “Prokopidi” in Assiros area where safer world. One main principle of the HQ was deployed. modern warfare is that every The main activity for NRDC- domain (Land, Air, Maritime, Last but not least, I would GR during the previous semester Electromagnetic, Cyber and like to affirm to our counterpart was the Exercise GORDIAN Space) cannot be examined HQs that we are looking forward KNOT 20 (GOKT20), a national, isolated and separated from each to exchange of knowledge, one-level tactical Command Post other, but interconnection and cooperation, synergies and best Exercise which was used as a interdependence between them practices development. I hope that venue for the evaluation of NRDC- are essential elements leading you will enjoy your reading and I GR in planning and conducting to an All-domain Operations would like to wish you a Happy an Article 5 Major Joint Operation successful prosecution. During and Safe 2021! (MJO+) and was run at the highest GOKT20, NRDC-GR confirmed Tactical level, with NRDC-GR as that its highly educated and trained Dimitrios KOUKKOS Multi-Corps Land Component Staff, after continuous training and Lieutenant General (GRC A) Command (MC LCC) HQ. Despite fully supported with all necessary the fact that due to the pandemic, means, is capable to execute any

01 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Special Guests THE RIGHT MEDIUM FOR TRANSMITTING SPECIFIC MESSAGES TO YOUR TARGET AUDIENCES DURING A CRISIS SITUATION

of communication channels selection Konstantinos Balomenos was plays a crucial role in the success born in in 1968. of a crisis communication campaign He is a Political and International Relations scientist. He holds a bachelor because it ensures that the message on Administration and Economy of the will be received and attended by the Technological Educational Institution key target audiences of the crisis of Chalkis, a bachelor from the Faculty of International and European Studies management team. of Panteion University, and a Master of Science (MSc) on Marketing & Next we should focus on Media Communication with New Technologies Strategy. Media strategy is a plan from Athens University of Economics and Business. In addition, he holds a of action by a crisis management PhD from the Faculty of International team for sending messages to key and European Studies of the University of Piraeus. stakeholders of a crisis through Since 1984, he had been working Dr. Konstantinos P. BALOMENOS selected media. The issues that a as communication consultant, in the Political Scientist - International crisis management team should private sector, specializing in Marketing, Crisis Communication Management, Relations Specialist address during the planning of a as well as Strategic Communication. General Director of the Hellenic MOD Media Strategy are: In addition, he served as non- permanent staff at the Ministry of National Defence Policy & International • How often to present the Foreign Affairs and as a scientific Relations General Directorate message? collaborator at the office of the former • For how long to present the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Konstantinos uring a crisis, a crisis Mitsotakis. D message? For 13 years he has been serving management team is necessary to • Where to present the as a course tutor/seminar speaker communicate with its key audiences, at the Hellenic National Defence message? media and public opinion quickly, College (HNDC) and other Hellenic • What media to use? military institutions on issues related to accurately and consistently so that Strategic Communication, etc. to inform them about the situation of The selection of the right In parallel, he is a specialized crisis (e.g. the causes of the crisis, scientific collaborator of the National communication channels to send the and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the procedure which will be followed message of a crisis communication School of Health Sciences, Department for coping with the crisis e.t.c). campaign depends on: of Nursing, teaching at the Master’s Additionally, through this procedure degree “Crisis Management in the area of Healthcare” programme. • The objectives of the above key audiences will have He is author of the book: the opportunity to build situational communication strategy (e.g. to gain “International Terrorism and Strategic awareness and to make critical internal and external legitimacy and Communication. Management of Terrorist Crises”, Athens, 2017. decisions about their protection the support of the key stakeholders) He served as a specialized consultant and safety. Furthermore, the crisis of the Greek Minister of National • The media objectives (e.g. management team will have the Defence, Mr. , who is the target audience? what is and from December 17, 2019 he has chance to influence their stakeholders the message? what are the priorities? assumed the responsibilities of the and win their legitimacy and support. General Director of National Defence when is the best time to release the Policy and International Relations of Under this frame, the procedure message? How many times, how the Hellenic MOD. 02 NRDC·GR erald Special Guests

AUDIENCE / CHANNEL MATRIX CHANNEL News Mag- News Group Face to Con- Direct Web Face- Twit- azine Paper TV Letters Blog Email Meet- Face fer- Mail Site book ter Articles Articles ing Meeting AUDIENCE ence Government Representa- x x x x x x x tives State x x x x x x x Legislators Emergency x x x Services National Media x x x x x x x

Local Media x x x x x x x

Public x x x x x x x Members of the x x x x x x Board Senior Advisors x x x x x x often, and for how long?) or occupational status. Forms of 3. Mass Media Channels. These community-based channels are: channels focus on spreading • The content of the message information to large audiences and - Community-based media, • The characteristics of the target have an influence on their audiences such as local newspapers, local radio audiences via the control of the agenda setting. stations, bulletin boards, and posters. Types of these channels are: TV, Now, let’s turn our attention to the - Community-based activities, newspapers, magazines, radio, types of communication channels. such as exhibitions, shows, concerts, advertising, direct mail. Communication channels can be and initiatives for the community segmented into four broad categories: 4. New Media Channels. These mobilization. channels (Facebook, Twitter, 1. Interpersonal Channels. These channels focus on either one-to-one ISIS COMMUNICATION CHANNELS (2) or one-to-group communication (e.g. orally communication during a face- to-face meeting, web conferencing, group meeting). Moreover, Interpersonal channels use verbal and nonverbal communication.

2. Community-Based Channels. These channels focus on transmitting information to community groups which based on common interests or characteristics, such as ethnicity

03 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Special Guests

ISIS COMMUNICATION CHANNELS (4) - The ability to use a wide range of word choices

• Channel frequency It refers to the number of times the key audiences are exposed to a channel in a specific time period. If a media planner wants to deliver a message for a long period of time he must emphasize in the media that it is affordable to repeat messages over an extended period of time.

YouTube etc.) are suitable for social of a Media Strategy is the criteria of • Credibility and Image of Channel networking and the building online channel selection. Prestige of media is critical factor communities for sharing information, The most important criteria for the acceptance of a message by ideas, personal messages and other for the selection of an effective the key audiences of a crisis. content such as videos. communication channel are: • Complexity of the message Moreover, for planning pur- • Target audience Complexity refers not only to the poses, another classification of volume but also to the level of detail communication channels is: A media planner must check what media types are preferred by a of the information needed. 1. Controlled media. In this kind of target audience and also, to predict • National vs. local coverage channels, the crisis management the likelihood of a target audience The crisis management team team can exercise control over both member being exposed to different must consider if it will be used content and distribution such as media. newsletters, websites, social media national vs local media channel or a sites, podcast, all forms of advertising • Channel richness combination of them. and brochures. Particularly, the The channel must ensure that the • Flexibility of Channel utilization of controlled media by crisis crisis management team will reach This means the ability to get into managers allows them to control: every member of the key audiences the media channel quickly, the ability as quickly as possible and at least - What message is sent to change the message at the last once. The richness of a channel - When it is sent minute, the ability to cancel on short depends on: - How often it is sent notice and the speed of feedback - To Whom it is sent - The capacity to transmit built into the channel. 2. Uncontrolled media. In this kind immediate feedback from the receiver of channels such as news media, - The ability to communicate newspapers, radio, TV etc. the crisis multiple communication cues such management team cannot exercise as facial expressions, body language control over both content and the e.t.c. distribution of their messages. - The extent to which the Another important factor which message can be shaped or tailored we must examine in our effort to to a specific situation understand the planning procedure 04 NRDC·GR erald Special Guests

• Channel availability - The followers and sup- • The Al Hayat Media Center Availability is associated with porters of ISIS which publishes online magazines the understanding from the crisis - Sunni Muslims [e.g. Dabiq, Amaq News Agency, management team when and where - Opponents and rivals of Islamic State Report (ISR)] and they will be in contact with the ISIS newspapers [e.g. Islamic State New members of their key audiences and - Global public opinion (ISN)], translated in English and other what channels are available at these languages and also it operates the Al- members at a given time and place. The ISIS messages: Bayan Radio. - The success of the ISIS • The Al-Furqan Institute An excellent paradigm of a Media fighters Strategy is the case of ISIS Media which is responsible for the production - Excessive violence Strategy. of ISIS online propaganda material - Sectarianism (CDs, DVDs, posters, brochures A critical starting point is to - The prophetic speech e.tc). present the objectives of the ISIS - Good life within the Islamic Communication Strategy. The specific • The Al-I’ tisam Media state objectives of this Communication Founda-tion, which is specialized in - Islam under attack and the Strategy are: the production of audio products and ISIS is the defender of faith the broadcasting of jihadist songs • Legitimization of authority in (e.g. “Dawlat al-Islam Qamat”) and the controlled areas The priorities: music. • Achievement religious legiti- - The Muslim world macy throughout the Islamic world Additionally, the fighters of ISIS - The followers and sup- • Encouragement of ISIS run a sophisticated campaign on porters of ISIS fighters social media. The basic tools for the - The USA and its allies transmitting of their messages are • Recruitment of new Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Ask.fm, followers and militants - Global public opinion and messaging applications such as • Receiving of funds or other Τhe best time to release the Telegram and Sure spot as well as kind of help message? Before, during and after a systems content like JustPasteit. • Exercising influence in the terrorist attack. hearts and minds of the youth all over To conclude, a combination of Regarding the types of ISIS the world multiple channels enables the crisis communication channels, we should management team to reach more • Intimidation of opponents mention that the fighters of ISIS utilize people in different environments and rivals a variety of communication channels with more frequency and to achieve • Establishment a positive in order to win the war of ideas and their communication objectives more image for the ISIS fighters communication. quickly.

Next, focusing to the objectives of The main communication ISIS Media Strategy, these are: channels for the diffusion of the ISIS propaganda are: The target audiences:

Footnote: This article is an adaptation of a speech given by Dr. Balomenos to the HNDGS Conference “ATHENA 18”, titled: “What is the right medium for transmitting specific messages to your target audiences during a crisis situation?” 05 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Special Guests PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS AND BORDER MANAGEMENT: ISSUES FOR EXPLOITATION

Ms Fotini BELLOU is Assistant Professor of International Relations in the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Macedonia in . She holds a BA in Political Science and Public Administration (University of Athens), an MA in International Relations (University of Kent at Canterbury), and a Ph.D in War Studies (King’s College London). She also teaches in the Interdepartmental Joint MA progamme on ‘International Relations and Security’ with the Supreme Joint War College in Thessaloniki and she is visiting Instructor to the Multinational Training Centre for Peace Support Operations at Kilkis, Greece. She is Special Advisor to the NRDC-GR in Thessaloniki on civil-mil cooperation and gender aspects and is a member of its civilian cell. From 2000 to 2004 she was Research Fellow with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, ELIAMEP and Managing Editor of the Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, (Taylor & Francis). From October 2004 through June 2007 she was Head of the Department of International and European Relations, in the Research Centre for Gender Equality (KETHI), Ministry of Interior. She has published on transatlantic relations, European and international security, aspects of conflict resolution and international relations and of international politics on Southeastern Europe.

Fotini Bellou argue that PoC, as an international Assistant Professor of International Relations in the norm, can hardly be underestimated Department of International and European Studies at University of Macedonia these days. On the contrary, it has received an even greater urgency, The need to protect civilians of civilians has become even more as recent reports from the SG of the during military conflicts is traced far pertinent and more challenging to UN indicate. The Covid-19 pandemic back to military history and practice. attain. In any case, for contemporary is calling for an acceleration of the It is substantiated by fundamental democratic societies, the practice of international commitments to address legal documents in the context of mitigating harm to civilians resulting the challenges generated by the International Humanitarian Law directly or indirectly from conflict pandemic in armed conflict contexts. (IHL), International Human Rights environments or other international In other words, PoC remains even Law (IHRL), including refugee law. emergencies is considered not only more pertinent these days. Precisely In recent decades, Protection of an international legal responsibility but for this reason, it can become subject Civilians (PoC) during humanitarian also a normative obligation stemming of exploitation from state or non- emergencies, in peace support and from customary international law. In state actors aspiring to use massive stabilization operations, conducted recent years, as regional conflicts, waves of migrants and refugee in the context of the UN or other developmental failures and bad as an instrument (as a weapon) regional organizations, has acquired governance produce waves of to achieve strategic, political, or a robust normative apparatus. As displaced migrants and refugees diplomatic gains. In such a context, the character of conflict and other moving, in one way or another, to more exploitation rests on challenging complex emergencies has gradually developed and democratic societies, the margins between conventional taken different multi-dimensional and the notion of PoC receives greater notions of border security and the hybrid forms, the quest for protection interpretations. One could safely 06 NRDC·GR erald Special Guests

found in the UN Charter, IHL, IHRL as well as international refugee law, more than eleven UN Security Council resolutions have internalized this broader notion to UN operations as well as a wide range of UN reports by the Secretary-General, the General Assembly and the UN member states. Thus, the UN evaluates progress on a range of thematic areas that address directly or indirectly policies of protection towards different vulnerable civilian populations found in conflict or post-conflict areas and/ or those having experienced the effects of military conflict including refugees and Internally Displaced Syrian woman rests for a while near borders (by Alkis Konstantinidis) Persons (IDPs). Areas on which level of commitment that a targeted the consequences of military conflict. the PoC agenda applies involve the actor, usually a state, demonstrate As Hunt rightly advocates, this applicability of humanitarian law in practically in implementing the multifaceted normative framework the conduct of hostilities, especially international norms such as PoC. aims at mitigating the devastating pointing to the types of prohibited This analysis will continue with a brief consequences of war not only to attacks and the persons and objects discussion about the international native civilian populations but also protected by law. Other thematic practices involved in PoC, and it will to other non-combatants groups, areas of the PoC agenda include conclude with a brief presentation of namely, humanitarians, health the ability of civilians to have access the international literature presenting workers and journalists striving to humanitarian assistance and the way in which the “Protected” to offer their services to conflict medical care, the prevention of and can be exploited by third parties as areas.1 Generally speaking, PoC is response to forced displacement, to establish diplomatic or strategic a responsibility provided by the state the protection of children in armed benefits. to its own citizens.2 For the last two conflict, the protection of women decades, due to the advancement against conflict-related sexual Protection of Civilians (PoC) of UN peacekeeping operations violence (CRSV), the promotion of The norm related to the PoC from traditional peacekeeping to accountability and fighting impunity framework of action calls for specific multi-dimensional peace support in response to violations related to actions for those who are involved and stabilization operations, PoC PoC, the promotion of UN sanctions in multinational peace support has further evolved both as a norm regime and the rationalization of all operations, primarily under the and practice in the context of UN- those policies at the organizational auspices of the United Nations, to authorized operations. Apart from the and bureaucratic level that could protect civilians who are affected by legal background supporting its logic, establish a global culture of

1Charles Hunt, (2019) Analyzing the Co-Evolution of the Responsibility to Protect and the Protection of Civilians in UN Peace Support Operations, International Peacekeeping, Vol.26-No.5, 630-659 2It is important to underline that PoC is a term wider than the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) with the former to have a strong legal origin and the latter to remain a political term.

07 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Special Guests protection to civilians.3 There should respective UN mandates, are obliged humanitarian and protection issues be no doubt that the progress made to abide by provisions of PoC. For are raised, and securitization is as regards PoC is not limited to this reason, UN authorities do aspire applied. The first regards the ability UN advocacy and documents. In that PoC should be the yardstick for of the host society to provide basic practice, nowadays, one can hardly measuring performance, not only needs for the incoming population find a UN Security Council resolution of the UN but of the international immediately. Security policies might authorizing the deployment of an community as a whole.5 be relevant here even temporarily. operation from which the provision The second context relates to the In light of the above, one can hardly of PoC is absent. However, there provision of societal resilience to the dispute the normative weight behind had been cases when PoC was ill- society hosting the incoming mass the protection of civilians, including served. This was the case in Libya populations. Certainly, from a political refugees. However, what happens in 2011 when enforcing protection as well as from an academic point of when normative responsibilities policies to civilians ran counter to its view, this is an area of contestation related to the implementation of PoC declared objectives.4 Nevertheless, it amongst a number of decision- by states establish securitization is essential to highlight that despite makers, humanitarians academics rationales. Namely, the massive the difficulties embedded in enforcing and officials from international and character of population movements elements of protection of civilian in regional institutions. The immense seeks responses that require the use the context of stabilization operations literature on these issues indicates of security and military instruments in under the UN (i.e. , , strong contestation for the adoption order to tackle the urgent character of CAR), UN member states as well as of clear cut responses. the phenomenon. Urgency touches regional organizations that conduct upon the two contexts to which Precisely because of its highly peace support operations following contested character, and the importance of PoC, forced migration or mass refugee waves have been instrumentalized by a number of states wishing to gain political or diplomatic gains. There is a growing discussion, on the one hand, focusing on the normative issues related to tackling mass migration waves and the massive failures of states to save human lives. On the other hand, there is an ascending literature, concentrating on the importance of weaponizing an issue that primarily raises humanitarian concerns. The blurring process in addressing massive migration waves Women refugees with their kids after crossing borders and the confusion it may establish

3Office For the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, 2019, Building a Culture of Protection. 20 Years of Security Council Engagement on Protection of Civilians, OCHA Policy and Studies Series, May 2019. 4One could argue that the case of Libya was more related to the toxic connection of the entire UN mandate to R2P principles rather than to the sheer logic of PoC. 5OCHA, Ibid. p.8 08 NRDC·GR erald Special Guests to states that are called to manage More importantly for our discussion, gradually start controlling the biggest the phenomenon per se as well as and following Greenhill’s lines of illegal immigration route to Europe.8 its multiple consequences, perhaps argumentation, the militarized angle According to Gray, a similar logic offer this very context on which the of engineered migration refers to the applies to the exploitation of refugees weaponization of migration could manipulation of population wishing to coming from the Syrian war by other rest. flee (at times even military personnel) countries as to blackmail the EU usually during a conflict (or a crisis). and its member states. Moreover, The weaponization of migration In this case, the objectives might be ’s growing presence in the Political and academic discussion to disrupt or destabilize the command Sahel region establish the prospect about the weaponization of migration and control of the target country, its for an emergent influence on local has increased in the last two decades. ability to move as well as its logistics populations seeking to find their It is understood as the encouraged in order to directly affect the outcome ways to the Mediterranean coasts.9 or forced shifting of a large mass of the conflict (or crisis) by gaining a As academic discussion grows of people into the territory of the military (or political) advantage. On around the fissue of weaponization target country in order to produce an the other hand, the coercive angle of humanitarian catastrophes and environment of social emergency, of this methodology refers to the human devastation, little progress chaos, conflict and economic erosion utilization of engineered migration as is observed from the part of without the aggressor involving a tool of foreign policy. In this case, governments or coalitions of states themselves into any military activity the objective is to induce (or prevent) to respond to such an emergent per se or appearing to have any changes in the political behavior of methodology that is placed under the engagement at all. The most the target state and /or to extract side grey zone of non-military instruments comprehensive work on this issue payments from the target(s). In such of destabilization. has primarily been conducted by a context, the propagandistic use of To conclude, one could hardly Professor Kelly Greenhill, for years outflows is widely employed by the escape the assumption that although an advisor to the US government, aggressor. The strong normative the level of opaqueness surrounding who distinguished four distinct but power of PoC is a particularly the degree of involvement of one not mutually exclusive types of fertile ground for exploitation. Often perpetrator, in practice, disrupts strategic engineered migration.6 They times, engineered migration is also attribution, such incidents exploit include mechanisms and tactics to empowered by third actors for their not only human suffering of innocent support the dispossessive, exportive, own reasons (Greenhill, 2008, 8). people but also norms and rules militarized and coercive strands of For a number of scholars, this is surrounding international practices engineered migration, all of which certainly a topic that requires further of border management and refugee can be applied by state and non-state research. Greenhill, has conducted a laws. Thus, exploitation of PoC can actors.7 very interesting comparative analysis easily take place and thus become Depending on the duration and of states using this methodology the subject of activities aiming to context that these practices are as a strategic tool. For Mark Grey, usurp the mantle of an indispensable utilized, one could easily discern that Russia is already expected to exploit humanitarian activity to an otherwise different objectives can be pursed. its ascending role in Libya as to act of coercion, compellence, or war.

6Kelly Greenhill, ‘Strategic Engineered Migration as a Weapon of War, Civil Wars, Vol.10, no. 1, March 2008 pp. 6-21; and Weapons of Mass Migration, Oxford, OUP, 2011 7Kelly Greenhill, Weapons of Mass Migration, Oxford, OUP, 2011 8Mark Grey, Russia, Libya and Weaponizing Human Migration, 7 May 2020, https://warroom.armywarcollege. edu /articles/ weaponizing-human-migration/ 9Ibid.

09 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

DISINFORMATION IN PANDEMIC TIMES

A Historical Reference: The Italian Plague in 1630 In 1630 the population of northern Italy was suffering by a disastrous plague, and in Milan (one of the most populous cities in the region at this time) the population was almost wiped out. The poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni (1785- 1873) is accredited with making a historically significant record in his book “I promessi sposi”. The plague is shockingly described in the final pages of his novel, especially in the A plague doctor, a physician hired specifically to treat bubonic plague victims, with a chapters XXI - XXII where it entirely distinctive mask that developed around the 17th century. occupied by a historical digression that reconstructs the spread of the disease travel, below: and its dramatic consequences (the - Stock piling of food resources to Phase 1: Denial. According to authors description has become cope with the emergency, the historian Manzoni (I promessi synonymous with its accuracy and is sposi, chap. XXXI), those who warned - Prohibitions of gathering and still remembered as one of the highest others “were met with disbelief and social distancing, literary moments of his career). It is angry contempt”. interesting to follow the dynamics of - Use of individual protective Phase 2: Fear of the unknown the spread of the plague during this clothing; begins to circulate. Fear of the lack period as it provides the modern reader - Intolerance of many to the of provisions by the health authorities with food for thought looking back to rules imposed by the government; by most people such as the nobles, what happened previously and still perceived as a form of government merchants, plebs. The new rules, happens in modern times regarding control, which require behavior changes the spreading of a pandemic. - Spread of viscous conspiracy are identified as unnecessary and Among the numerous ideas theories spreading rumors that the constraints. that circulated during this time on pandemic is a deliberate attack by Phase 3: As the contagion the origins and how the disease foreign powers. progresses, denial fades but people spread there are many similarities struggle with what Manzoni calls with modern thinking in the grip of a a “swindling of words”. The work pandemic, such as: The Phases of mystification and falsification - Isolation of areas that present It has been noted that in practice comes to produce buzzwords such a high number of infections through the psychological response to the as “malignant fevers” and “pestilent governmental control, pandemic always follows four phases, fevers”. However, people begin to - Requests for certifications to which are still extant today and listed understand that the infection is not

10 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles

the diffusion of clearly false news, the distribution of which appears to find wide acceptance, as with any ‘’good conspiracy theory’’. “Plandemic” is one of the more popular fake news in Coronavirus times. In a long online video that went viral and immediately became an Amazon’s bestseller book, this theory brings together a whole series of hoaxes regarding the Coronavirus as a larger design, that of a plan of The ‘Black death’ played out as the biggest human tragedy of medieval Europe. the richest of the world who “have limited to a category of population. messages. had Coronavirus spread to increase Phase 4: Human nature cannot be vaccination rates”. Among the various denied; in any panic situation people claims, without any scientific support, Fake news on Coronavirus try to falsify the cause and effect link reported in the video is the idea that the such as blame the foreign people. The role of information could wearing of a mask, not only does not Finally, the fault of the greasers. The be instrumental in creating (and protect against the virus, but is harmful. greaser can be anyone, as it happens nurturing) irrational beliefs among the It claims that closing of beaches is a today. Everybody but not us! public. Anyone reading a newspaper mistake because there are healing naturally knows that he does not have microbes in the water to combat the Yet another similarity with the to take every line of every article as a virus. The video also speculates that plague of 1630 can be found in the given, but he also knows that, beyond the death toll has been inflated “ad exchange of information. In modern possible inaccuracies, there are hoc” to increase the control over the times, as the use of Social Media interpretations or perhaps partisan population. The orchestrator of the has become the social norm, the distortions/ reporter bias; what he video is a biochemist who has fallen exchange of news is increasingly reads is not invented or non-existent. out of favor in the scientific community conveyed through internet posts on If that was the case, the newspaper after a scandal in 2009; after a study social media using messages that are would quickly lose credibility. So (published and then retracted by distributed quickly and forwarded in an if the news is seen as fake or non- Science) that linked chronic fatigue instant to other users, surpassing the existent facts presented as real, it syndrome to a retrovirus from cats. distribution of traditional newspapers. can lose credibility, perhaps lead to In terms of fake news in times Since the news circulates faster an investigation and even be reported of Coronavirus, some pages have on social media, without control or to a Parliamentary Supervisory been reported on Facebook. There supervision, the distribution of ‘’fake Commission (or similar institution; are illustrated miraculous cures that news’’ is much easier. In this sense, depending the Country/State). eliminate the virus, conspiracies the similarity with a time before However, even scientists can get on a planetary scale behind its newspapers, like the plague of 1630, sucked into the hysteria surrounding creation, conspiracy theories on the is much more appropriate. During this a story (mindful of the fact that they spread of Coronavirus through 5G period word of mouth was the usual too are mass-media users when not telecommunications networks, etc. method of passing information; not at work). Some of these pages are apparently unlike what is happening today with dedicated to fashion, to the home the widespread use of uncontrolled This is a normal environment for

11 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles and to children, (some with over five our feelings. There is a specific term - The value of responsibility: million followers and readers) such for this category of false news: “post- whoever makes a claim should take misinformation is surprisingly shown truth”, a term used to identify an event responsibility of its consequences. between a recipe, a poem, or a photo relating to circumstances in which The idea behind this is that an of clothing. Arguably this is a way objective facts are less influential in organization needs transparency to to hide from the control systems of guiding public opinion than appeals to make choices and transparency does the social network. For example, an emotions and personal beliefs. not derive from the personal opinion article which claims that lemon and hot We are therefore increasingly of an expert, but from the possibility water can defeat the Coronavirus, has exposed to receiving deliberately of being able to justify the claims that been posted at least 61 times. On the unfounded news with the sole purpose are made. other hand, there are more than 30 of making us assume that a specific posts where it is stated that the Italian opinion is true or make us legitimately Government would have prevented doubt what we are officially told by Conspiracy the tests on migrants. And of course authorities. This potential conditioning Among the fake news in times articles claiming that the Coronavirus of our knowledge and experiences of pandemic, those relating to was secretly created by , in a becomes extremely critical when we conspiracies are the most disturbing Wuhan laboratory with the complicity are called to make decisions that (and even dangerous). We have of the World Health Organization affect the entire community. How can seen that conspiracy theories are and then it was spread throughout we defend ourselves? An effectual one of the historical reactions to any the world. Facebook claims to have method can be that of ‘’Ask for tests’’ state of emergency. In these times removed a bulk of disinformation which is based on three values: of Coronavirus, the following story is content and shown the fake news used by way of an example as it was alert analyzed by independent fact- - The value of the facts: whoever hosted on social media networks: checkers on 40 million posts in March makes a statement must provide the ‘Behind the pandemic there is the 2020 alone, providing official health facts it is based on; so-called Agenda ID2020 protocol information through its apps. - The value of transparency: those which predicts that at a certain point a who make a statement must make But what are the reasons that vaccine containing a microchip will be their sources accessible; drive someone to create fake news injected to control the entire population (especially about health issues) and then let it loose on Social Media platforms? Sometimes it is just business; to sell therapeutic products that actually are not therapeutic at all. Since leading institutional figures find the idea of using forms of disinfectant to clean the body of the virus “interesting”, fighting disinformation is a decidedly uphill struggle. Most of the times, however, we are overwhelmed by fake news which, although easily verifiable, are taken for granted because they are well presented as they provide plausible content and / or leverage Someone’s fake news is someone else’s ultimate truth, it appears. 12 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles via 5G’. This hoax seems to have to take her post-mortem revenge of the impending tribulations; a typical started from an obscure multilingual by (best) selling her book after her theme of the most fundamentalist part site that published these ‘’revelations’’ death. ‘’What the future holds for us’’ of Protestant Adventism. on March 12, 2020. The article claims (2004) was reprinted in Italy in record A book from another American that the pandemic is an invention of time, which today is depopulated on pastor, who refers to a mythical the World Health Organization to the web. In United States but also ‘’pure faith of the pilgrim fathers’’ who support a plan decided in January at in many other parts of the world, the founded the colonies in America, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Coronavirus pandemic has been ‘’a has called for a month’s repentance by the ‘’usual evil world rulers’’. blessing’’ for many tele-preachers for the sins of the LGBT community (largely thanks to YouTube) who The 5G conspiracy spread, in order to protect the United States announce the ‘’imminent end of incendiary assaults on antennas from diseases such as Coronavirus. the world’’ through the steps of the or control units of the ultra-fast 5G According to this preacher, “God John Apocalypse. The pandemic is cellular network occurred in the first will protect the US from danger perceived in fact as ‘’the fourth knight days of April 2020 in several cities in when the country repents of LGBT of the Apocalypse’’, Death, who came the United Kingdom due to conspiracy people, false gods, abortion and ‘to exterminate with the sword, with theories that had been emerged on other sins”. Moreover, he also asked hunger, with the plague and with the internet and were ‘’recycled’’ by for donations of about six million US the fairs of the earth’. An American some tabloids. dollars to promote his church’s goals! evangelical pastor, who weekly hosts A Colorado Springs area Pentecostal There were also series of articles a show entitled ‘’Coming Apocalypse’’ preacher, who in August 2019 had based on ‘’apocalyptic propaganda on a local Indiana TV station, has claimed to have brought back to theories’’. Many preachers of the proposed a great event where people life a dead child, through prayer apocalypse have expressed their would discuss the next earthquakes, alone, irritated at having to cancel views on the pandemic drama, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, fires, the gatherings of his faithful due to using it to justify their catastrophic etc., all connected to a possible the lockdown, stated that evidently theorems. Pandemic is a golden age influence of the ‘’planet X’’ or ‘’Nibiru’’! people did not have enough faith in for those who announce tragedies Although making these statements, Jesus, because only people with little and disasters, so much so that even he reassured his followers that God faith would be infected with the virus. a self-styled psychic such as Sylvia assured him that the epidemic will Browne, who died in 2013, was able soon pass, but this is only the first sign In Italy and in other Catholic countries, however, the presumed ‘’Marian prophecies’’ hold the bench. On social media, those of the “Madonna di Anguera”, which would communicate from 1987 with a Brazilian seer, who lives in the town from which her mystical experiences take their name, through automatic writing, have had wide circulation; this experience however was never taken into consideration by the Vatican but finds popularity only online and in some conservative niches of the Catholic clergy. Conspiracy theories are part of Information Warfare 13 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

Pope Francesco himself indirectly There is another viral video that comments the poster of the clip that replied to them and to all the others explains one of the most popular has amassed over one million views. who already in an ‘’Angelus Pray’’ of trends of fake news. The video is However, this clip was not filmed in February 2016 had stated that ‘’God called ‘’Quarantine 2020’’ and shows Italy but in São Paulo, Brazil, and has does not allow tragedies to punish a shot from above, perhaps taken by again proved to have nothing to do faults’’, commenting in a sermon on drone, of a sensational and daring with the Coronavirus. February 25 about how God would pursuit of a fugitive in a neighborhood send evil as punishment: “What idea by dozens of agents. The message of God have we got? Are we really it tries to portray is that there is a Information Warfare? convinced that God is like this, or is dangerous security environment So far, the fake news that not rather our projection, a god situation due to the Coronavirus, phenomenon has been analyzed made in our image and likeness?”. however, the video had nothing to from a conspiracy, destabilizing and do with Coronavirus. A fake news apocalyptic stand point. All these specialist pulled a frame from the phenomena belong to the individual Discredit video and traced it back to its first or sectarian sphere. However, there In the provisions of fake news, recorded publication, on November 4, is another sphere, much broader alongside the conspiracy theories on Twitter by a user from Uruguay in and much more important, which it is possible to identify another an unrelated post. must be analyzed; that of false characteristic, that of discredit. To give In the first week of April 2020, a information generated by sovereign but one example relating to Italy and clip of a rather dramatic video was States. Very often the manipulation its management of the Coronavirus; circulating among Arabic-speaking of information by sovereign States on February and March 2020 there users; it showed white and black bags is used to pursue their own goals were reports that were based on fake containing corpses, unloaded from and to paint opposing State entities or decontextualized photos. One, for trucks into mass graves. The title was in a bad light, or simply to increase example, published by a Ghanaian ‘’Look at how Italy has shrunk, please the level of internal consensus. This newspaper tells of the arrest of an stay at home’’. Arguably trying to activity can be likened to information elusive Italian doctor who would be keep people at home, a false image warfare. A piece of news is different an exponent of the Democratic Party of Italy was used. That video was from pure information, the first may in (called the Opposition Party), who demonstrated to be taken from the fact contain elements unrelated to the would be considered responsible for film ‘Pandemic, the Virus of the Tide’ data, to the notion, but it is useful to the death of about three thousand released back in 2007. make the content of utmost interest Coronavirus patients for giving them and thus be able to better capture the Images of an Italian town with the wrong treatment. The story attention of the journalist’s consumers dead in the streets from the virus, was totally invented and widely and clients: the readers. Emotional, proved to be historic footage from discredited; even the photo was taken politicized and even “weaponised’’ Zagreb filmed many years ago. Some in the United States several years narrative elements can be part of the other videos were circulated through ago so is irrelevant to his argument. news for very different purposes and social media such as one entitled However, it was accompanied by far from those of providing information ‘Don’t mess with Italy’. The viewer some real data on the spread of the to the public. The data itself is sees a person stopped by the police infection in Italy, which made it look susceptible to many interpretations, (suggesting that he has violated the more credible. But how did it end up different collection and transmission quarantine) and then a police officer in the African newspaper? The source methods all of which in the right context floors the person with a kick to the is a mysterious multi-language news can be collected by the end user and shins! “When Italians say lockdown site that looks like a ‘’fake news forge’’. processed differently depending on they know what the hell it means” 14 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles their individual cognitive bias. Neither group realistically evaluates the data presented in any complexity, but all the persons in this scenario acquire the information that prefer to hear and as such the news confirms their beliefs. This phenomenon is also known today as a “cognitive bubble”, the network manages to amplify this phenomenon, thanks to its algorithms that choose which kind of elements are to be displayed on social networks and which of those would tend to propose themes and ideas thanks to an individual’s web browsing history Disinformation in Pandemic Time is a rilevent phonemenon that appears in all times interests. They analyze a person’s valid. Some good examples such such information and placing it in tastes and preferences, all thanks as that in general around the world a wider context. Of course, this is to the data that we all leave behind during the pandemic period, there difficult, especially now that we live in whenever we use the web. have been official communications a globalized world, which on the one By exploiting these elements, from various governments with hand opens the possibility of cross- external and internal actors in a State exchanges of accusations regarding checking, but on the other hand allows can manage to influence the masses. the responsibility or mismanagement disinformation spread uncontrollably. This is to obtain a shift of perception of the Coronavirus. However, cleverness and shrewdness with respect to facts and data, in order remain the best weapons in defense News on the pandemic is often to obtain a very precise effect. An of manipulation. Maybe the best used against Europe and the United effect that can range in any field from conclusion is the following anecdote. States to promote the interests of other economic advantages to geopolitical nations in the regions in question. In 1995 in Pittsburgh, a man influences and include the possibility In another contest, claims that the named McArthur Wheeler, without any of intervening on strategic assets with European Union is disintegrating camouflage, entered two banks and the benefit of the population involved. in the face of Coronavirus is widely robbed them. It took police Officers a All of this belongs -as discussed publicized on social media in some few hours to speak to the witnesses above- to Information Warfare, an areas of the world. and watch the video tapes and find the asymmetric method of conflict with culprit. A very simple case, resolved which, through the exposure of news, in less than half a day. Yet when a State or other entity manage to Conclusion Police Officers knocked on McArthur take advantage by using this type of It has been seen that all Wheeler’s door, he greeted them in behavior. It is a weapon readily used information carries with it an objective amazement. He was arrested and since the beginning of the last century, aimed at a specific audience, so an attempt was made to understand but which so far has been used that in one way or another it can be why he thought that he could rob two mainly with political and economic manipulated for various reasons, by banks and get away with it so easily. baits, as they are the most captivating individuals or groups or States. It is He claimed that a few weeks earlier, to target a determined audience. up to us, the people who receive the a friend of his had shown him a very Today the Coronavirus emergency information, to place ourselves in a simple experiment. By writing on a confirms to many that any issue is perpetual state of criticality assessing sheet of paper with lemon juice, the 15 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles writing was invisible until the paper their own incompetence prevents home. In this environment, fake news was subjected to a heat source and them from realising it . On the contrary, proliferates like mushrooms, on which only then it became visible. The as in the case of Wheeler, one has people base judgments and issue robber therefore concluded that by the impression of doing very well”. sentences, sometimes even death. sprinkling his face with lemon juice This effect is still frequently found in At best, such people are ignored, he be invisible to everyone present, modern times thanks to the Social and they continue to bluster towards if he remained away from any heat Networks that have made it possible an accused imaginary; in the worst source. To prove his hypothesis, the for everyone to express their opinion. of cases a violent reaction can be man, just before the robbery took a As Darwin also claimed “Ignorance unleashed, like the feeding frenzy of photo with an instant polaroid camera. generates trust more often than the piranha. From this standpoint, At that time, taking a selfie was much knowledge”. the internet, even if it is a wonderful more complicated than it is now and tool, has the disadvantage of having In everyday life it is very common for this reason Wheeler photographed excessively increased people’s belief to see people who speak with the ceiling! This was the proof he was in certain matters. Now, if you wish, apparent competence of topics that looking for, the photo represented his you can enter the web page of a world- they know superficially and claim to invisibility! renowned immunologist believing be experts on the ideas of people who that you can discuss vaccines and Two researchers, David Dunning have studied and worked a life on prevention methods with him or and Justin Kruger, were drawn to this the same themes. At the same time, through the online profile of a political story. The first thought that the robber it is common for an expert to express leader you can explain to him how was too stupid to notice his own themselves with caution because they to bring a country out of a crisis and stupidity and for this reason the two know well that theories and skills are through the social network of a sports started a search. The experiment they constantly changing and that apparent coach, give him your most thoughtful carried out was very simple. They took certainties collapse very easily. At suggestions on how to deploy the a sample of people and asked them one time people like Wheeler were national team. All of this can be done how competent they were in three relegated to society’s “specks” within 5 minutes, but would they heed subjects: grammar, logical reasoning and were mocked by neighbors such advice? and humor. Subsequently they who, once they turned the corner, asked the people on the experiment forgot about them. Today, however, answer a written test to understand social networks have completely how effectively their competence had transformed the social fabric, allowing deepened. The result was immediate; everyone to have the illusion of being the people who previously scored able to relate on par with the experts, the highest were actually the most perhaps giving them liars on topics of ignorant. Whilst those who underrated which he has no knowledge except themselves were those with the short readings of sentences written highest scores. Their research is by other people, probably equally Manlio SCOPIGNO known as the “Dunning-Kruger effect” incompetent. Rarely does one speak OF-6 (ITA A) NRDC-GR DCOS PLANS and their final conclusion was that directly from experience, but on “When people are incompetent in the basis of something said by their the strategies they adopt to achieve friend’s cousin etc. On this bases success and satisfaction, they are they consider themselves experts crushed by a double weight: not only on any given topic. Politics in time avoiding to reach wrong conclusions of elections, football every Monday, and make unfortunate choices, but economy when a fine arrives at their

16 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles CYBER TERRORISTS AND THE RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN ON THE INTERNET

In today’s society, technology has marked a fundamental change in the area of communications, information systems and the execution of criminal acts. On the other hand, technology has also provided humanity with the ability to easily gain access to global information and news. In this respect, it is important to stress that this evolution in the digital world has brought about serious problems and challenges regarding the revealed personal data, raising further negative implications both on NATO and NATO has evaluated and in order to enhance cyber defense national level. recognized cyber space as a new capabilities with both responsive Cyber-attacks constitute operational domain with further and active measures and adequately deliberate malicious attacks impacts on its military activities and protect NATO networks from malicious against data, targeting individuals on HN critical infrastructure and, cyber-attacks. On the other hand, to government entities. Nowadays, thus, it has developed its own legal OCO are accomplished via voluntary terrorists utilize cyber space in order cyber warfare framework, the AJP national contribution through effects to conduct their criminal acts mainly 3.20 for a coalition of NATO nations, provided by Allies upon request in because cyber domain provides them partners, non-NATO nations and order to successfully conduct joint with a series of advantages, such other organizations. On NATO level, cyber offensive operations. It is as the interconnectivity, the virtual AJP 3.20 serves as a guidance for the important to understand that there is anonymity, the low cost capabilities Allied joint cyber operations, aiming a different regime for OCO conducted and the difficulty to be traced. at safeguarding NATO networks in peacetime NATO operations and in from manipulation, disruption and an armed conflict. Moreover, it is worthy of note that destruction and to ensure the On national level, nations are due to technological growth, terrorists continued function of NATO cyber fully responsible for the defense of have developed so far various capabilities. It is crucial to note that their state-owned networks and the methods and techniques for the cyber operations must comply with all protection of their platforms. planning and the execution of cyber- the rules and the principles of LOAC, attacks including malware, email IL, and IHL in order to meet the legal Standing from a purely empirical viruses etc. It is essential to note that and ethical requirements for legitimate point of view, privacy issues and the the internet has played a major role cyber operations. protection of personal data has turned in the execution of terrorists’ ideology into one of the most important topics and it is not far-fetched to claim that In general COs are conducted discussed nowadays. Since 1995, internet has revolutionized the way through two types of opertions: Europe has been trying to approach terrorist propaganda works and the Defensive (DCO) and Offensive data privacy and to establish a execution of attacks. (OCO). DCO were initially developed 17 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles proper regime under which personal outcome of GDPR is its territorial 015-026 in order to lawfully collect identifiable information is adequately scope which is applying globally and process data. According to the protected. In this respect, it is vital irrespective of the location of the directive, data subjects legally hold to stress that Europe has adopted processing. the right to erasure and to request the the EU 95/54/EC Directive in order removal of their personal information The new data protection to safeguard personal data from under a specific number of legal regulation is the first legal document illegal processing and collection grounds and certain conditions, codifying the right of obscuring and via automated or manual filing since the right to be forgotten is not deleting facts as part of a broad new systems. After a few decades, the unconditional. Criminal convictions data protection regulation. The right to legal community considered the EU for terrorists’ actions are regarded as be forgotten was given a considerable Directive insufficient for the protection special categories of sensitive data lift since the Spain case in 2014 and of human dignity. In May 2018, and they are regulated separately as a result was initially introduced to GDPR was introduced in order data within a specific regime, which avoid past criminality stigmatizing processing to be compatible with the generally prohibits their processing individuals and therefore impacting rapid technological developments and it permits this procedure their personal and social life. The in the area of cyber warfare and to exceptionally under certain legal right to erasure in not an absolute respond effectively to the crucial grounds. and an unconditional right, since it is privacy challenges for the humanity. only granted in certain circumstances In conclusion, the characteristics GDPR imposes a new data breach and it is constantly colliding with other of attacks have changed in recent regime on all data controllers and fundamental rights, such as the right years and they are mainly conducted processors handling personal data to information and the freedom of via cyberspace. As the attacks are ensuring an adequate protection of expression. It is highly recommended becoming more financially motivated personal information and individuals’ to balance those rights when they and the political aspects are becoming rights, in parallel it introduces lawful are in conflict, because both of them more important, more complexity grounds upon which processing represent equal values. surrounds its interaction with the could be deemed legitimate. To be current data protection framework. It On NATO level, GDPR is not more precise, GDPR has enforced is highly recommended that less strict applicable within the NATO structure. six fundamental principles to secure legal grounds to be applied for the NATO has designed its own Data a lawful processing and collection exercise of the right to be forgotten Protection Policy, the AD Directive of personal data. Another significant by balancing different rights and freedoms on a case -by -case basis.

Eleni TSAMTSIDOU GRC CIV Intern NRDC-GR/LEGAD

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DETERRENCE THEORIES AND SMALL NUCLEAR STATES nuclear powers, countries with small categorized as good or evil, moral or arsenals, limited means of delivery, immoral, it is still inhuman’’. In any and regional interests like , North case, the deterrence seeks to destroy Korea, Pakistan, etc. can engage in a the opponent and vice versa, with duel to attain their political purposes? possible development the annihilation of both actors. The development of Deterrence is the ability of a State new technologies in defense sector, to prohibit the undesirable actions as well as the evolution of military from another state. That is not the doctrines and strategies, stem from result of persuasion, but the result of the desire of States to seek new ways the combination of two interconnected of prevalence over their opponents. rates. The threat of violence or use of violence from one State and on the According to Hedley Bull, ‘’the other hand, the fear from the other prevention of attacks by other forces State about the consequences of has always been one of the purposes the use of violence for it and for its for which States have sought to use citizens and for its whole existence. their military force’’. At our time, the Clausewitz characterized war as Deterrence is the result of the ‘’new face’’ of deterrence, concerns ‘’a duel on a larger scale … an act existence of hard military power (Ilias the policy of States, which have made of force to compel our enemy to do Kouskouvelis). deterrence a key component of their security and defense policies, due to our will’’. War is the use of military Threat is the manifest intention their reluctance to use weapons of means, a duel, for a political purpose, from one State to cause damage to mass destruction in a potential ‘’real’’ our will. Our will may be to alter or the interest of another State, if it is war. to preserve the status quo. We may not complying with its requirements. use force actively to attack or defend, Such a threat creates danger, when After the end of World War II, in or passively, to compel or dissuade. the State which formulates it has a polarized bipolar and ideologically Active and passive uses of force the means and the will to put it into charged system such as that of the with conventional weapons across practice. In other words; to make Cold War, the U.S.A. and the USSR, the spectrum of conflict are familiar it happen. The real danger, is the were consumed in a systematic kinds of duels. Nuclear deterrence; difference between the threat and the competition which led to a balance the threat of passive use of nuclear ability of the State to fight against that of power, based on the possession weapons in order to preserve the threat successfully (Panayiotis Ifestos of nuclear weapons, i.e. to prevent established status quo, is familiar from & Athanasios Platias). an attack due to the threatened the Cold War era but what we know is retaliation to a catastrophic extent. Deterrence, in perhaps the most derived largely from the experiences The ‘’philosophy’’ of attack and the primitive form of, has been identified of large nuclear powers, countries with deterrence, have sealed relations by the threat of the use of force of a large arsenals, extensive means of between them throughout the period State, a small or a large one, in order delivery, and worldwide interests. The of the Cold War by establishing to prevent the opponent from using active use of nuclear weapons has (conversely) a cold peace between violence first. been mercifully unfamiliar since the the two superpowers and depositing unique case of 1945. How might small The deterrence, ‘’without being 19 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles the principle of the Romans: “Si vis consequences of the developing with regard to the nuclear arsenal, pacem, para belum’’ (If you want interactions between states (John the costs they will incur must be peace, prepare for war). Mearsheimer). Therefore, a state manageable. After all, as Aron openly facing a Security Dilemma, as a argues, it is absurd to be claimed It can be said that in the modern rational actor, has two options: war or by some people that, despite the era, deterrence contributes to the the strengthening of its “power loads’’. proliferation of nuclear weapons, the process of avoiding war, by evolving use of them is something that should and including concepts beyond Sometimes whatever you do, the not be expected to happen: classical conventional or nuclear war is inevitable. The critical point is deterrence; concepts such as this ‘’meeting’’ to happen on your own “The war that we are preparing, deterrence against weapons of mass terms and after you have increased so as not to do, despite the fact that destruction or terrorist acts. your “power pillars’’ in relation to those sometimes has been baptized weak, it of the opponent. So the question is not is possible. If it was natural or morally What is a fact is that more and only how to avoid war, but also how impossible, then deterrence would more actors of the international system to create conditions of survival. And cease to work’’. acquire nuclear weapons. Pakistan, additionally to use deterrence as a India, N. Korea, are typical examples It’s very crucial to be said that, tool to maintain the balance of power of such countries. So it is not only no matter if a State is a small or a in the international system and even the great powers, but also smaller large one, if it has the ability to use more, the structure of the international States, which have the capability of nuclear weapons, amongother, the system, maintaining the ontological manufacturing and possessing such most important and significant criteria diversity of ethno - state entities within weapons. This leads to the increase to be considered in selecting military the international system. of the “security dilemma’’. options are the following: What would Therefore, both the major nuclear the action accomplish militarily? What The “security dilemma’’ is at the powers as well as the small ones, are would be the ethnical confidence of core of realism theory and concerns trying to gain as much power as they success? What military risks would the way one State deals with the can, in terms of their nuclear arsenal, be faced? What political goals would empowerment of another, regarding considering the fact that they should be served? What political constraints its hard power and especially its act as rational factors within the would have to be dealt with? What military power. It was presented for international system. The big problem penalties would be incurred by taking the first time by Thucydides, who is faced by the great powers if they “nuclear hedging” actions? recognized that the security dilemma are involved in an asymmetric conflict; which Sparta faced due to the increase of the Athenian power, was the real cause of the war, separating it from other issues and disputes between the two big and powerful cities.It was formulated as a “security dilemma’’, for the first time by John H. Herz and reflects the basic logic of the offensive realism (John Mearsheimer). States are rational actors, are aware of the external environment and think strategically about how to survive in it, taking into account the immediate and long-term

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The most significant point is the a disaster beyond history; and a push the other too hard. South Asia is will of the State leaders to accept hundred bombs on a hundred cities where nuclear warfare is most likely, (unavoidable) damage during a are simply [sic] unthinkable. There is and this is the most likely path to war. nuclear conflict. Even if somebody a divide between war fighters - who In conclusion, this post finds is the leader of a great power with must think about such things - and application in any case. Whether or more than enough nuclear weapons, arms controllers who work to reduce not a State is small or large, this is just must always keep in mind that a the number of weapons in the world, a detail, which has to do mainly with small nuclear state has the ability however both find common ground the policy that they decide to follow in to cause the destruction of i.e. the on this: from the beginning, nuclear order to ensure their position within capital city. Only one hidden nuclear weapons and national policies have the international system. Any factor bomb can cause unbearable damage. been devised to prevent the outbreak that wants to be ethical and ‘’serves’’ Even if someone can achieve win of a nuclear war, not to win one. realism theory, whether it is a large or in a possible conflict with a small Analysis of small nuclear powers a small nuclear State, in order not to nuclear state, there is the possibility by taking into account the uses deliver its power loads to other states even after the end of the war, to face of force framework draws several (“power black wales’’), is ready to a nuclear strike. Is this acceptable? conclusions. First, like large nuclear use weapons which are available for Can the People accept that? This will powers, small nuclear powers own it. And that’s what nuclear weapons be always a crucial question. And the nuclear weapons for deterrence. are all about. After all and that’s a answer it is not so easy for any leader. However, deterrence by small powers fact which emerges from the WORLD Because win with every cost is not is more prone to failure, particularly history, small ‘’sailboats’’ can ensure acceptable for everyone. Especially because of the stability – instability their position within the ‘’ocean’’ of the when the ‘’win’’ is accompanied by paradox, in which leaders believe that international system, by carving out a large number of civilians deaths; nuclear weapons allow on - nuclear their own policy, using every available characterized as “Pyrrhic victory’’. operations and discover that they do aspect and tool. And the nuclear A state does not have to not. Second, small nuclear powers weapons are one of the key tools to demonstrate a capacity to win a might be interested in defensive use achieve the coveted deterrence. nuclear war to prevent one, because on their own territory because it would the devastating consequences send a clear signal while minimizing of nuclear war are transparent, the risk of retaliation. Third, offensive well understood, and universally use is difficult and likely to be costly. recognized. However, some regimes might be willing to pay the price. Finally, A decision that would bring even passive compellence is a likely use, one hydrogenbomb on one city of one’s i.e. between India and Pakistan. There Paschalis KAMPOURIS own country would be recognized in is essentially a riskin brinkmanship OF-4 (GRC A) advance as a catastrophic blunder; Chief PA Plans & Media Analysis that one side will miscalculate and ten bombs on ten cities would be NRDC-GR/PAO References: Athanasios Platias “High Politics in Small Countries” Ilias Kouskouvelis “Θεωρία Διεθνών Σχέσεων. Αποτροπή και Πυρινική Στρατηγική” John J. Mearsheimer “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics” Clausewitz Carl Von “On War” Hedley Bull “The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics” John H. Herz “World Politics” Aron Reymond “Le Grand Debat. Initiaton a la Stratigie Atomique” 21 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

HOW ANCIENT GREEKS CONFRONTED POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Introduction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as named during 80s after U.S. war in (1965-73) or “shell shock” in WWI or “battle fatigue” in WWII, appears as an eternal phenomenon throughout war history. Ancient Greek pro-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus characterized War as “The Father of All” due its power to create through its contradictions tremendous changes and effects in human life. Each warrior lives always the pressure caused by the physical, spiritual and psychological violence of any battle uniquely and is required to survive and return to normal life when years, an exceptional pre-Socratic the effect of a medicine in body with war ends safe and sound. Indeed, rhetorician and philosopher, is the speech in soul. As such, the the so called Golden Age of Pericles considered as first to depict PTSD interaction of psyche-subjective and (495 – 429 BC) was not only a century as a serious combat trauma in his nature-objective spheres permitted of great human deeds in philosophy, “Elenis Egkomion” play. He describes him to impress the soul through governance and arts and a foundation the pain, nausea and madness that vision (“opsis”) and try to change its for Western civilization but also a the power of vision (”opsis”) of an psychological status by surprising the period of fierce and continuous battles enemy may cause and the fact that soul through speech (“logos”) and signalizing that freedom and progress power of war leads people to commit persuasion (“peitho”) again, a way are not for free. PTSD, no matter its erring uncontrolled actions under ancient Greek rhetorician Isokratis name; with its tragic consequences, inevitable conditions and in result (436-338 BC) named as recreation social reactions and efforts to be been unaccountable for them. He (“psychagogia”) afterwards. relieved within societies has been describes PTSD victims as having a always represented all souls’ horrible disease (“nosos”) categorized Ancient Greek tragedian sacrifices for the global prevalence of them in three cases. Warriors been Sophocles (497-406 BC) in his eternal values of life. “out of control” (“ektos eauton”), “Philoktitis” tragedy outlines all PTSD others suffering “unreasonable manifestations with “Philoktitis” in stress” (“anaition stress”) or “incurable the role of veterans, “Neoptolemos”, the son of “Achilles”, representing Ancient References madness” (“atherapeuti trella”). As Gorgias equated order in soul (“taksi the ethical struggle of warriors, Ancient Greek sophist Gorgias in psychi”) with nature of the body “Odysseus” the needed cunning (483 – 376 BC) who lived 108 (“psihi somatos”), he parallelized for reaching the survival and win,

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about the horror diseases including psychosocial ones of war and the mainly, they seem to have ignored paralyzing impact of PTSD deliberately by attributing it the scenes happened either to natural causes such as during war atrocities loss of happiness or brain physical from Homer’s era traumas. Though using some natural and his epic poems toxic medicines like “elleboros” as “Iliad” and “Odyssey”. Romans did as well in 2nd AC, they Ancient Greek poet more seemed to use them as shock Tyrteus (mid-7th or homeopathic therapies without century BC) from acknowledging PTSD as a separate Sparta wrote: “No disease. “Atreides” the war leaders and their man is capable for war if he cannot Both 5th BC’s psychotherapy and responsibilities in causing PTSD to withstand the vision of blood and what 2.000 years later on neurologist the warriors, “Choros” the society and death”. During the war, they tried to and founder of psychoanalysis the family environment of the warriors confront warriors’ horror so as not Sigmud Freud (1856 – 1939) called and last “Hercules” the way of curing to become panic and what is called as “taking cure” methods they were and redemption from PTSD. In his as acute stress disorder (ASD) used to address PTSD. Gorgias first other tragedy “Ajax” (“Aias”), General nowadays by welling word “Paian” or considered speech “logos” as capable Sophocles carrying the burden of attributed panic either to God or as a to “dissolve fear, to smooth sorrow, numerous lost and not returning mental disorder afterwards. Similarly, to infuse happiness and to appeal home warriors under his leadership they were keeping warriors minds mercy”. The great ancient Greek sends the message that no-one is always engaged with ordinary things tragedian Aeschylus (525 – 456 BC) untouchable by PTSD even his play before battle trying to avoid panic considered “words as the medicine hero “Aias” who was considered the caused by their overdose of their for a diseased soul” and pre-Socratic most powerful warrior in Troy after the fantasy with the oncoming calamity philosopher Democritus (460 – 370 semi-God Achilles with the nickname of the battle. Gorgias’ big contribution BC) known for his atomic theory of “Shield”. After Achilles’ death “Aias” was to disconnect PTSD from warriors the universe said “medicines cure the got insane killing his comrades and as their fault; considering it as a bodies’ diseases but wisdom liberates committing suicide in the end under disease to be treated. Hippocrates’s soul from suffering”. In this spirit, PTSD pressure. “Aias” filled with hate doctors though recognizing natural for his superiors for been injustice towards him was appeared having the “syndrome of meaningless and not worth surviving” without his loved comrade Achilles. No matter his wife “Tekmissa” efforts, his brother and son to change his mind he ended his life so as to be relieved from his qualms and personal life’s deadlock.

Ancient Approach

No doubt ancient Greeks knew

23 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles ancient Greeks through tragedies abstinence and self- heroes tried to target all diseased control, it is not unlikely veterans mainly and by “reliving and even to have used relieving” their sentiments to achieve tragedies to restore their souls’ catharsis. social integrity and prudence when these For philosopher Aristotle (384 – were disordered 322 BC) and comic poet Timoklis following on wars, tragedies as psychotherapy were plague and massive addressing veterans’ souls either by deaths. As 1/3 of exciting attendees’ feelings of mercy Athens people were and compassion towards tragedies’ attending “Dionisia” hero or by reminding them that greater fest annually, it is likely to have used though PTSD phenomenon is eternal, calamities in life may happen focusing tragedy as a form of group therapy to there can’t be an eternal truth about on touching their souls. Aristotle restore the political status of their city. it. It would be dangerous to limit the in his play “Peri Poiitikis” when his truth each man has into a psych- hero “Oedipus” (“Oidipodas”) blinds Lastly, even ecstatic rites were theory without challenging the soul himself in a desperate action of insane popular during 5th and 4th BC focusing crucially. Based on three-gravitational highlights suffering as a human on exposing madness to even bigger entities model the chaotic produced behavior focusing on mercy and fear levels under certain procedures. circumstances, it seems obvious that of his audience. Both sentiments as While reaching paroxysm and even we can describe limited circumstances toxic were focusing on the sanitization consciousness’ loss a diseased in the world of social and civilization of the soul’s catharsis that could man expected to return either to a reality only. In any case, any warrior’s eradicate malign feelings from the temporary or permanent treatment. memory is limited controlled by him hearts of the spectators finally. In any case, ancient Greeks tried to and PTSD seems to be formed as an offer many ways of treating PTSD. Ancients Greeks’ tragedies were “alien body” based on his deeds and This happened no matter the opposite not designed to teach morality but to experiences within him “black” areas social prototype of a robust and validate people’s dysphoria through that he does not want to exist actually. fearless warrior and veteran who showing life’s external parameters always was fighting to the end as a Both author Jonathan Shay in his as destiny, luck, government, family, model to educate youth. book “Achilles in Vietnam: Combat and our genetic predisposition may Trauma and the Understanding of impact our life severely. By exposing Character” referring to Vietnam War the destiny of each man webbed by Relation to Modern PTSD and more recently after US Wars the three Fates (“Moires”), “Klotho”, in Afghanistan and Iraq writer and “Lachesis” and “Atropos”; all oldest According to psychiatrist and director Bryan Doerries with his effort and more powerful than ancient psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Young by creating the “Theatre of War” in Gods and the free will of each man (1875 – 1961), there is not “absolute US, they have addressed PTSD and simultaneously, they showed the truth” and the “defined truth” cannot highlighted the common destiny of feasibility of this co-existence and the be separated by the social, cognitive humanity when referring to the war possibility of a man’s change during and technological parameters of each atrocities and veterans feelings. Shay his life while fulfilling his destiny as era. Indeed, in Western civilization in his book refers to the need for a defined when born. the search for truth liberates power reinvention of ancient tragedies in a that otherwise it would be engaged As ancient Greeks praised modern form to cure PTSD. Doerries in illusions and ritual beliefs. But prudence, with the epitome of sanity, starting in 16th October 2009 with

24 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles the “War Theatre” and first playing (ASD) during the battle and long term differentiates to the worse for modern Sophocles’ “Philoktitis” in front of 1st post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) warriors than Ancient Greek’s era Infantry Division or famous “The Big existing in their veterans and tried to ones. Their tragedies need to be Red One” as participating early in the heal both. Gorgias as the greatest attended and felt by all modern war Wars from WWI to Afghanistan and dealing with PTSD of all ancient veterans. Throughout history by Iraq gave successive ancient Greek Greeks tried to reach the abysses encompassing veterans and treating tragedies’ performances creating of veterans’ souls and describe the their PTSD instead of margining positive feelings in US veterans. irreversible circumstances that create them within societies becomes a Many spectators found themselves PTSD. War conditions that cannot fundamental element of social and in the place of Sophocles’ hero “Aias” be attributed to warriors rendering national integrity and a prerequisite or his relatives referring to “the dark themselves not be accounted for for securing future youth‘s sacrifices eyes filled with hatred during the subsequently. Through his rhetoric to defend our values and the way of nights” or “Aias” wife “Tekmissa” and way, he focused on the change of living for our societies. her feelings. soul’s ill status externally with the suppression of persuasion “peitho” as each soul’s reality is sensitive and Conclusions flexible.

Conclusively, ancient Greek were Taking into account modern’s aware of both acute stress disorder technology impact in war and modern peaceful way of life, PTSD threat Christos ALEXOPOULOS OF-5 (GRC A) ACOS G2 NRDC-GR/G2

Bibliography: Bacley, Vernon.”The Theatre of War, What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach us Today”, Vintage Books, Aug 2016. Doerries, Bryan “The Theatre of War, What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can teach us Today”, Vintage Books, Aug 2016. Hampe, Michael. “Achilles’ Brain”: Philosophical Notes on Trauma”, History of the Human Sciences, Vol.20, No3, 2014, pp.85-103. Segal, Charles P. “Gorgias and the Psychology of the Logos”, Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Vol.66, 1962, pp.99-155. Ustinova Y., Cardena E. “Combat Stress Disorders and their Treatment in ”, American Psychological Association, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 2014, Vol.6, 739-748.

25 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles JOINT INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE AND RECONNAISSANCE IN SUPPORT OF MULTI – DOMAIN OPERATIONS

Introduction The most important role of intelligence in military operations is to provide Commanders with analysis of key aspects of the operational environment and assist them in their decision making process for approving plans and executing ops. By using a wide variety of means (capabilities) ranging from above the earth’s atmosphere to below the surface of the ocean, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors collect data on a given area of data to weapon systems for targeting A critical aspect to remember operations or battlespace in support enemy forces and to protect forces. about MDO and its relation to JISR of Commander’s information needs. is the reality that in a battlespace, Such needs may include the location threats or an attack will often occur of adversary forces, their warfighting Multi - Domain Operations in multiple domains simultaneously: capability, and their intentions among Today’s nature of conflicts is For example an attack may include others. multi-domain. A domain is defined jamming of radios and data links, persistent surveillance, and precise, The collected data resulting from as a “region distinctively marked by long-range fires. Potential opponents multiple sources are then analysed, some physical or virtual feature(s).” have achieved this level of efficiency, largely by human operators with Militarily, this may corresponds to five complexity and asymmetry recently. support from technology (artificial interrelated domains: land, maritime, Moreover this can all happen from intelligence), and transformed into air, space, and cyberspace. The use long range, in ways that are difficult information. This information creates of the term Multi-Domain Operations to defend against, and all at the same a narrative on observed activity within (MDO) has increased in popularity time. This creates a complicated net of the battlespace. Analysts then derive over the past decade at military activities and intentions that JISR has intelligence from that information, services. However, the term is new to track and depict to the Commander. which generates a picture of the enough and is yet undefined by most adversary’s activity that may answer nations, including different military In recent years, opponent forces the Commander’s information needs organisations. During the execution have utilized a new type of warfare and ultimately drive decision making. of real-time combat operations and in described as hybrid warfare. Hybrid Furthermore, during the execution of accordance with the direction provided warfare is simply perceived as the real-time combat operations and in by a Commander, JISR provides both combination of previously defined accordance with the direction provided targeting data for lethal and non-lethal types of warfare: conventional, by a Commander, ISR provides both entities. irregular, political, social, economic

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assets can deliver to the information for maximum effect. This Commander or the staff makes Joint ISR a unique example elements. “Surveillance” of cooperation and burden-sharing describes the systematic across any Alliance. JISR process is observation of aerospace, an information collection cycle that surface and subsurface is fed from, runs in sync with, and areas, places, persons ultimately provides information to the or things, by visual, two main cyclic activities: Operations aural, electronic, and Intelligence. Notably, whilst the photographic or other Intelligence and Operational cycles means. “Reconnaissance” feed each other, both also feed ISR describes a mission requests to run JISR cycle and both, undertaken to obtain, depending on the product required, or information. In a way, it can be by visual observation or other receive the answer to their request constructed as a new manifestation detection methods, information about direct accordingly. the activities and resources of an of how “soft” and “hard” power can be Subsequently, NATO “JISR,” is adversary or potential adversary, or to leveraged in methods not confronted a function of both operations and secure data concerning characteristics in such complexity typically and among intelligence that requires extensive of a particular area. a myriad of actors engaged. That is, a coordination and interoperability at hybrid threat is any adversary possible JISR is vital for all military all levels. NATO JISR integrates action that employs a tailored mix operations and especially at the Multi organizations, capabilities, expertise, of conventional weapons, irregular Core Land Component Command and procedures to provide information tactics, terrorism, and criminal (MC LCC) level, which is the higher support to political and military leaders, behaviour simultaneously in a battle Tactical level. It provides decision- from the tactical to the strategic level, space to obtain their geopolitical, makers and action-takers with a timely. It is both cross- and multi-, social, and economic, objectives. This better situational awareness of what is domain, involving tasking, collection, potential multiplies JISR demands happening on the ground, in the air or processing, exploitation, and while a productive and effective JISR at sea. This means that all forces work dissemination of critical information capability is a prerequisite for success. together to collect, analyse and share from both NATO and national assets.

Defining Joint ISR (JISR) “Joint” describes the activities, operations and organizations in which elements of air, land, maritime services participate in together. Components and services operate in a joint environment for greater effectiveness and efficiency by integrating available Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities. “Intelligence” refers to the collection disciplines and/or collection capabilities/assets and the results these capabilities/capabilities/

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to detect anomalies and to develop next-generation Unmanned be able to observe and Aeria Systems (UAVs), underwater orient off the series of unmanned systems, satellites, and interconnected activities more-sophisticated sensors and that relate to a particular sensor packages which in turn will behaviour or actor. Instead expand the Alliance’s capabilities. of interpreting a snapshot Open-source intelligence, biometric image to discern a narrow intelligence, artificial intelligence, amount of information, social media, cognitive analytics, and an MDO approach would more-capable active and passive focus on understanding sensor technologies will all transform what is happening with JISR in coming years. The way the person, place, or thing forward to develop a multi-domain studied and how that activity highly sophisticated JISR system may and its interconnected begin with an increased consideration Put simply, JISR is about getting the elements and environment change by NATO keeping human as focal right information to the right person over time. The ISR paradigm shifts for the prevalence of an Army JISR. at the right time in the right format. from identifying enemy capabilities Expertise through well selected, JISR is the operational ‘’glue’’ that is and estimating motivations simply, to trained and experienced personnel fundamental to success in peace and interpreting a changing battle space becomes the key to success under war. NATO’s JISR posture today is for assessing its impact on operations. the inspiring leadership of any defined by organizations, systems, Commander setting the stage for wins and trained operators. The adversary’s on the fields following on during the Anti Access Areal Denial (A2AD) Conclusion 21th century. capabilities present a challenge to the Currently, the Alliance fields a joint/multinational ability to achieve broad range of JISR capabilities that air dominance and/or control and to provide comprehensive situational project power onto land from air and awareness and decision support, maritime domains. In many instances, and those capabilities can always be standoff distances could force current reinforced by national capabilities as JISR platforms beyond the collection required. Rapidly evolving technology range of named and targeted areas of will increase JISR capabilities interest. significantly. In the same time, it will To achieve success in a also introduce vulnerabilities and force Antonios ANASTASOPOULOS personnel to reconsider the nexus OF-4 (GRC A) multi-domain competition, JISR Chief IRM & CM professionals must rethink their between enemy, own forces, and NRDC-GR/G2 conception of activities and actors non-threat actors’ critical capabilities. within the battle space. Instead of Especially, in a highly complex hybrid focusing on one dimension targets warfare where NATO JISR systems with narrow activity sets, JISR must and nodes will be prime targets that hunt targets as multi domain systems must be defended. with exploitable interconnected The “one step” ahead mentality surface area. Further, it must have from its adversaries should be a broad baseline understanding implemented by allocating appropriate of the multi-domain environment founds and resources to JISR in order

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SUSTAINING HALF A MILLION SOLDIERS, THE NEW NATO CHALLENGE

After decades of expeditionary hitherto unseen in modern times. trained field-army level enemy. operations, western countries What is a MC-LCC in a MJO+ Thirdly, it is about being able to acknowledged the resurgence of About? engage 30 Nations into one single the peer to peer threat. NATO is no fight, under a unified Command, exception to this realisation and it Talking of Multi-Corps with all associated costs such as is now clear, after years of limited operations, we need first to human losses, billions a nations scale operations, our countries now understand what this represents, in currency, political risk, to mention have had to turn their doctrine focus terms of figures (people, equipment, but a few. Finally, if we consider towards state on state warfighting. and resources), context, space, and SACEUR’s AOR, this is the whole time. The development of the Multi- of Europe we are debating. Even Corps Land Component Command Starting with size, a conservative wider than this Logistics in this (MC-LCC) concept reflects this estimate is that a five Corps Task context should not be considered on trend, which is focused on large Force would be roughly 500,000 its consumption data alone, but in a scale engagement of forces such men. Five hundred thousand broader perspective, from budget as those that we were prepared for men that will need sustaining allocation to resupply, production in the Cold War. Going to war by daily; along with thousands of and sustainment capabilities of deploying up to five fully manned pieces of equipment that will need nations. Corps in an area within SACEUR’s maintenance, spare parts, fuel, AOR, with their associated logistics ammunition. This is a level of forces An Insight: The 1st Gulf War is challenging and a scenario never seen since decades. (GW1) that none of the NATO European countries is currently able to manage Secondly, the MC-LCC concept In modern history, we need to go st individually. Even collectively, has been developed in the context back to the 1 Gulf War (1990-1991) including the USA, this represents of warfighting in a major joint to find such a large scale deployment a huge logistical challenge for the operations plus (MJO +). This of forces in a similar context to that Alliance. represents the “Maximum Level which a MC LCC could command. of Effort (MLE)” in NATO, against Following Operation “Desert Logistics will be one of the a peer to peer enemy. It is not Shield”, Operations “Desert Storm” deciding factors in any future state anymore about fighting dozens of and “Desert Sword” were launched on state conflict as it will stress dispersed terrorists with thousands in mid-January following a UN areas from production in factories of people as we have become used Security Council resolution1. From a to the consumption of resources to over the past twenty years. It is logistics perspective, the challenge in combat units; the supply chain now about trying to gain a 3 to 1 was to sustain a force comprising will be under permanent pressure, ratio against a well-equipped and around 750,000 personnel, from

1UNSCR 678, 29 November 1990. This resolution defined the date of 15 January 1991 as ultimatum for Iraqi forces to withdraw all their troops from .

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armoured vehicles were deployed and then redeployed; 95 million meals were served and 2.5 billion gallons of fuel was consumed. Some 41,000 containers and 350,000 tons of unexpended ammunition were returned. However, nobody really considered the consumption of logistics capability as a main topic, human nature meaning people focused on the physical fighting. Mail is one of these potentially neglected aspects for the US Military as it represented 38,000 tons of mail that had to be distributed.

The Difficult Come Back to a Figure 1: Ground Forces Layout, 1st Gulf War Military Sustainment which 540.000 were American2. say that the daily cost in Class V for offensive operations of one Division Contracted support to operations In terms of deploying troops from is circa 13 million euros. This is (CSO) plays an important role, but the USA to Saudi Arabia, it required only for the main ammunition, the assuming we can contract our way 10,000 air sorties and 500 ships cost of its replacement and only to winning the next war brings with it to bring the force to the theatre3 of for that ammunition that had been high risks. Along the last decades, operation. consumed by this one Division, the trend has been to contract out Just considering the ground which was not partaking in the main as much as possible, arguably offensive, the financial cost of effort. Its mission was to flank the risk transference. In NATO, most it was astronomical. As a small overall offensive. For the US force, contracted solutions are run through example, France deployed one the ammunition challenge was to NATO Supply and Purchasing Division. This Division, in 4 days, get 400,000 tons of ammunition into Agency (NSPA). 4 the theatre and to ensure its safe consumed in Class V 560 105mm Fighting now against a peer to delivery forward in order to enable and 1640 155mm artillery shells, peer enemy, we would be faced the tactical manoeuvre to continue 560 120 mortars shells, 22 MILAN with contracted support assets unabated. and 390 HOT missiles, to mention (vehicles, warehouses, etc.) that but a few. It represents a financial Overall, these figures could are particularly vulnerable targets. cost of €51,867,052 and this was make one feel dizzy, 117,000 Few host-nation trucking companies only the price of those munitions vehicles and 12,000 and will have excess capacity available used in this short time. Suffice to

2History.com, Persian Gulf War, 07 January 2020. Some forces of the former Soviet Union also participated into this war within the allied coalition. 3The Land Warfare Papers number 13, Operational Logistics and the Gulf War, LTG William Pagonis and Colonel Michael Krause, October 1992. 4Class V is the logistic class for ammunition.

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capabilities held in the of those GBUs across the whole of early 1990’s, whereas France, Locate them, then build new the level of commitment GBUs by removing some of those has dramatically risen. components on other munitions; all In 1991, Operation in order reassemble as new GBUs. “Daguet” was the During this period, the Air Force main effort, but not the was forced to return to the use of only, Operation of the inert bombs due to lack of guided French Army deploying weapons. So if one is planning on approximately 15,000 large reserves somewhere it could Figure 2: French Army Logistic Squad, personnel and lasted be argued this planning is pure 1st Gulf War less than one year. fantasy. to adequately cover the scale of Fast forward to today, operational the sustainment requirements for deployments of the French Armed Technology MJO+, especially when their own Forces represent a permanent Systematically, when we national armies will be included strength of 30,000 men6 deployed at 5 think “future”, we think “modern in the NATO force . So where will any one time. these contractors come from and at technology”. Even if technology what cost? If one were to consider the is an important part in continuous reallocation of French Forces improvement processes, the future There have been structural towards a MJO+, one could be of military logistics cannot rely on consequences of this contracting forgiven for questioning the real term developing new technologies alone. trend and they should not be feasibility. As things stand reversing It must be more of a question of neglected. Our countries have lost, the contracted logistics support and integrating existing technology and step by step, significant capabilities replacing it with a military solution is enabling an enhanced cooperative in sustainment, without having simply not viable. logistic solution between nations. the possibility to ramp them up as quickly as necessary. Looking back One of the lessons learned Looking at a censorious to 1991, at this time, the French from the US Army during GW1, is approach, to NATOs Logistic Army Logistics was made out of that logistic reserves played a vital Functional Area Services (LOGFAS) one Logistic Command (comprising role in allowing the Operational IT system. This software suite is sixteen Units), plus three Logistic Commander to mass his combat actually widely used in NATO and Brigades, each made up part of power for decisive action. However its development has much improved a Corps. Each Division of this in modern thinking having logistic over the past ten years. However, Corps also had a dedicated Logistic reserves has arguably become but LOGFAS is a complex and powerful Regiment, but this was 30 years ago. a dream. In 2013, during operations tool which covers the main logistic Currently, the Army Land Forces in Lybia, the consumption rate areas that allows early logistical 7 Logistic Command is a divisional of GBU led to complex issues; planning until the execution of the level Command, including nine approaching the limit of the strategic logistics phase of an operation. Regiments. We now own 25% of the security stocks. Logisticians had to Unfortunately, this IT system identify the different components does not have an overall view on

5Feeding the Forge: Sustaining Large-Scale Combat Operations, LTG Michael Lundy, COL Richard Creed, LTC Scott PENCE, 18 July 2019 6https://www.defense.gouv.fr, carte des opérations et missions militaires, 15 October 2020. 7Guided Bomb Unit. 31 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles the supply chain of each nation, or only in transit, where they are The Crucial Role of Non- especially on the flow. Indeed, many supposed to be delivered to, if they Logisticians nations use their own bespoke are going forwards or backwards The interdependence between systems and only complete data in the supply chain or if they are Manoeuvre and Sustainment on LOGFAS that they are willing for planned to be included on any should be foremost in any leaders’ others to see or that is essential to incoming convoys. In a nutshell, mind, and also at all levels with the main effort. there is no tracking tool. As such an organisation as low as the answering a sub-unit interrogation For example, a resource (Item) private soldier. It is rarely the of the status of a demand “Where in a warehouse has to be delivered sole worry of a logistician who is is my stuff” is just impossible using to the consumer at a deployed permanently struggling to build an LOGFAS. Redirection of logistic location through the logistic network. effective, robust and responsive flow is also not possible and more Tracking such a resource from a supply chain in the framework of importantly, there is no side-tool/ warehouse/factory until the last the overall Scheme of Manoeuvre; interface that allows this type of logistic node is currently impossible. the tacticians have to be cognisant dynamic planning. For logisticians, focused on the flow of the logistic implications of the and on the capability to influence it, Technologies do exist today planned manoeuvres. Col. Gregory LOGFAS is of no help as a practical that enable cradle to grave tracking Fontenot, was quoted as saying in tool. Flow monitoring is simply not a and they need to be combined and reference to GW1, “persistence and feature of LOGFAS. integrated within NATO to establish a determination could do nothing to complete supply chain management solve the problem of scarce and So, yes, it is possible to precisely tool. This will allow at the swipe of hard-to-deliver repair parts8” know on one site how many artillery a keyboard any single logistician shells there are and to assess if the In the last year of World War II the same data that UPS, DHL and stock objectives are reached. But (which is paradoxically the moment other couriers are able to provide currently you do not know if those when logistics became a real to every single customer, for every resources are part of the stock science through the implementation single parcel in an ocean of orders, of operations research) the parcels, warehouses movement of allied forces towards and trucks worldwide. Germany was slowed due to a gap Quite simply this system in fuel transportation capabilities. To enables asset visibility mitigate this lack of trucks, the “Jerry and availability and its Can” became the main tool for fuel use is essential in a resupply. Despite the crucial role of NATO force with scarce this simple item, most soldiers did resources. not have any wider concerns it was mealy seen as a disposable item, use then dispose of the Jerry Can. Monetary rewards were proposed Figure 3: Fuel Storage Area (a mountain of Jerry Cans!) to the local population to ensure as along “Red Ball Express”, 1945, WW2 many as possible were recovered9.

8The First Infantry Division and the US Army transformed: Road to Victory in Desert Storm 1970-1991, Gregory Fontenot, University of Missouri Press, 30 April 2017. 9Liberty roads : US logistics in France and Germany 1944-1945, Nicolas Aubin, Histoire & Collections, 10 June 2014. 32 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles

Multinational Cooperation operational art and underwrites “Anybody that thinks, ‘Don’t campaigns. The link between The technical aspects of logistics worry, we’ll be able to drive an- the concept of operations and are undoubtedly a challenge, but IT ywhere’ — not true […]. Any- the logisticians must be robustly systems are not the major way of body who thinks you’ll be able established and flow both ways. improvement. The improvement to fly anywhere at night – not Finally, if doctrine plays an important of logistics in NATO lies in the true […]. Everything we do pri- part in the developments of a plan increased cooperation of nations. or to declaration of [NATO’s then it should not prevent initiative, The multinational integration of collective-defense provision] is going to be done in peacetime which should be afforded to the logistics will allow performing in a conditions.” lowest echelon. both effective and efficient manner. Currently it is defined as a collective Lt-General Ben Hodges, All aforementioned examples responsibility that will ultimately 12 Jan 2018,Business Inside. were a small portion which aim is be a national one10. Fighting the to give an insight on some logistical well-known comment of ‘national will send us down a rabbit hole. challenges. It would require responsibility’ and independence Being one of the strategic functions, numerous of pages to cover all that in a multi-corps level operation will logistics will set up a large portion of defies and challenges sustaining lead to a massive duplication of the environment and the conditions half a million soldiers represented in effort, gaps, waste of resources and in which commanders will evolve this document. capabilities and a large scale. Some to build their manoeuvre plan from. capabilities can be easily made A commander ignores the wider mutual to all, without implementing implications of logistics at his peril. new doctrine. Areas such as storage, distribution and transportation are Having spent years streamlining but three functions in which an the military logistics chain to reach increased multinational cooperation high levels of savings using methods could easily be implemented to such as Just-in-Time Logistics, by significantly transform and enhance transferring storage of line items st logistic cooperation throughout the to reduce 1 line risk, the current Sylvian CUCHE threats and the return to large scale OF-4 (FRA A) Force. Chief LOG Plans combat operations must force NATO NRDC-GR/G4 to rebuild many lost capabilities. In Conclusion a MC-LCC context, there is still a lot Logistics in a warfighting context to do to maximize the effectiveness represents a collective challenge of logistics by utilising multinational that should not be underestimated. cooperation, interoperability, support The first step is to consider logistics from host nations etc. Logistics at in its broadest perspective, to make this level is part of the Commander’s it noble again and part of any main Concept of Operations and Scheme plan. Considering logistics as the of Manoeuvre. It is about enabling resupply system to individual units synergy effects to all elements of

10 AJP 4, Allied Doctrine for Logistics, December 2018.

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MULTI-CORP LAND COMPONENT COMMAND “SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM”

Since the beginning of the 21st adapt, to deter and defend against In light of this calling, NRDC- Century, military organizations systematic five dimensional and cross GR is undergoing systemic changes have faced unprecedented security domain warfare around 360 degrees to morph from a traditional Corps to challenges, as well as traditional of geographic threat, and increasing a MC LCC. The change involves a threats, forcing them to adapt in an threat intensity regardless the level fundamental paradigm shift in typical evolving and international operational and different roles they will be called warfighting function roles. Where the environment (OE).The North Atlantic- to operate. standard corps simply sat atop the European area is increasingly tactical fight, the MCLCC must be the The Multi-Domain Operations pressured along the Eastern and bridge between the tactical fight and Concept asserts that the Alliance is Southern flanks by new and old operational effect. The MCLCC now contested on all five domains (Land, competitors. To provide a credible has to employ expanded maritime, Air, Maritime, Cyber and Space), force, is part of the overall task of aviation, cyber and space enablers as by near-peer adversary, therefore, modernizing NATO in order to meet needed to support an exponentially NATO created the Multi-Corps Land complex, future challenges and win larger land force. Component Command concept in an era of resurgent great power to integrate Joint comprehensive This challenge need to be competition. solution sets, provide mission understood, in order to find the NATO, during its continuous command and synergistically conduct appropriate answers on how to adaptation process identified as land operations in a multi-domain exercise Command and Control, critical operational requirements for environment. how to conduct Land Operations in a NATO GRFL-HQs the capability to cross domain environment and how to create synergy in Operations at all levels.

Given that this role will be played when the “Maximum Level of Effort” will be required from the Alliance; a credible force is the next step. Only with a credible and trained force, the Alliance can deter war by being prepared for it, in the words of Ancient Romans: “Si vis Pacem, para bellum”( “If you want peace, prepare for war”).

Different functions require being considered to be distinctive for MC LCC HQ. First of all, Deep Area Operations in order to support the subordinated Commands focused on

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the battle in the close area, prevent high intensity and tempo scenario. Corps level steering an Article 5 them to be isolated from enemy The MC LCC will be the higher Land Operation in a full scale war scenario deep operations and to shape the authority in charge of de-confliction facing a near-peer enemy and an environment for the future operations. and synchronization on whatever is Non-Article 5 Operation in a peace The targeting community in its wide going, planned and executed in the support environment as well as all interpretations (Special Operations multi domains battle space. This will everything in between. Commanders Forces, Tactical Ballistic Missiles, include all potential threat coming and Staff’s mindsets must be flexible Long Range Artillery, Air Force and from space, cyber, air and maritime in thought and trained to the unlikely all the innovative weapon systems domain. Let’s not overlook that and unexpected ready to bridge the that can allow deep strikes) will have potentially, the MC LCC opponent can gaps between the Tactical and the a predominant role in all Operations be a 16 years old hacker, on the other Operational levels. Ultimately, the phases from the planning to execution. part of the world, hacking military MCLCC must find its place within satellite software and disrupting the existing and future C2 constructs to Rear Area Operations to grant GPS systems and military encrypted influence the fight. continuity of supply and a safe and communications. secure environment to the fighting Corps. But the most challenging This is a simple example of one can be considered the challenges that the Staff need to Synchronization, Coordination and be ready to cope with. A different Management of the Battle Space. approach will strongly affect the way Napoleon stated “The Battlefield is a of exercise the C2 in the multi-domain scene of constant chaos; the winner environment. will be the one who controls that Domenico COLELLA In a nutshell: There is a clear OF-3 (ITA A) chaos, both his own and the enemy’s”. COORD SO difference between C2 on Multi- This quote applies perfectly in this NRDC-GR/G5 35 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

“GORDIAN KNOT 2020” THE MC LCC CHALLENGE

Exercise ‘’GORDIAN KNOT 2020’’ (GOKT20) was the major training event for NRDC-GR in 2020; and for first time acting as MC LCC (Multi-Corps Component Command). GOKT20 was conducted in the wider THESSALONIKI area from 09 to 16 Oct 2020. The main body of the HQ deployed to the ASSIROS training area and some elements remained in the “PEDION AREOS” Camp; with more than 553 Staff Officers (SOs) as participants, including 56 allied SOs from 13 Nations.

GOKT20 was planned and conducted as a Command Post Exercise (CPX), at the highest Tactical conducting an Article 5 Major Joint setting. The exercise was also used level with NRDC-GR having the role of Operation (MJO+) against a peer as a venue for the National Evaluation MC LCC HQ. It was an exercise that state adversary contesting NATO in of the HQ. trained NRDC-GR in planning and all-domains, using the OCCASUS-N Being the first NATO FORCE STRUCTURE NFS HQ conducting an exercise in this role several lessons have been identified and they will be foundation for the next major training event, STEADFAST LEDA 21 (STLE21).

The exercise planning process started back in July 2019. In January 2020 Ph IB/C Academics were conducted at NRDC-GR and focused on giving all newcomers and permanent staff a basic understanding of the functions that a MC LCC HQ could undertake.

In February, the Crisis Response “Prokopidi” Camp, Assiros Planning (CRP) was conducted in a

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NRDC-GR Commander in EX.GOKT20 Multinational personnel working Situation Awareness Briefing during EX.GOKT20 manner that enabled the HQ to plan postponed and as such they had to be Final Coordination Conference (FCC) and develop an executable CONOPS conducted a lot closer to the execution was the final event of the exercise and OPLAN. A great deal of effort was phase than one would have initially planning. put on the Planning, Command and liked (and we initially planned so). On the first week of October the Control of Article 5 operations. But thriving in the face of adversity main Battle Staff Training (BST) was the HQ rallied to this undesirable Unfortunately, early on March conducted, aiming to test the new situation. One could be reminded of COVID-19 made it’s ‘’appearance’’, structure, the new concepts and the statement ‘‘Keep Calm and Carry interrupting the scheduled planning the new or revised SOIs; focusing On’’! procedures and creating challenges mainly on a 4 days Battle Rhythm, that had to be overcome using new At the end of June, MEL/MIL the Tactical Operations Centre (TOC) and untested methods. A lot of WS2 (incident workshop) conducted functions, MC LCC multidisciplinary changes were made in order to apply simultaneously with the MEL/MIL Working Groups (WGs) and the newly all the health protection measures WS3 (scripting workshop) were introduced Operations Update Board regarding the pandemic. Events were crucial activities for the exercise. (OUB). NRDC-GR Staff Members and

AOCC Element in EX.GOKT20 NRDC-GR Commander and Chief of Staff during EX.GOKT20

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a few selected external personnel, worked on running the staff processes required to execute a complete cycle

From 9 - 16 Oct 20 the HQ executed Phase IIIB, the operational deployed element of the exercise. This was the execution of the OPLAN which had been tailored to the developing situation in the scenario. NRDC-GR was augmented from several NATO HQs along with staff officers from national HQs and they deployed to ASSIROS training area Tactical Operation Centre during EX.GOKT20 for the Main HQ and the EXCON and to “PEDION AREOS” Camp for the Alternate HQ. EXCON augmentation came mainly from National and Affiliated Formations and Units, while SMEs from other NCS and NFS HQ participated in the Training Audience (TA) to great effect.

A multinational Trainer/Observer Team made up of 3 SOs from HQ ARRC assisted in ensuring all the primary training objectives were Working Group during EX. GOKT20 triggered during the Ex and assisted where possible by providing ‘’best practice’’ advice. Additionally, there was a National Evaluation Team, evaluating NRDC-GR in the MC LCC role using the criteria laid down in AFS vol VII.

HICON, supporting Commands and subordinate HQ/Commands were portrayed during the execution through response cells (RCs). The MC LCC HQ had under direct command and control 4 Corps, and several Divisions/Brigades/Units. The participation of these RCs provided a realistic feel for the training audience in the conduct of operations and at the Evaluation Team Meeting during EX. GOKT20 same time afforded the opportunity of

38 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles interoperability experience with these units.

Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre (MPSOTC) SOs, during the exercise along with SMEs worked together in order to provide valuable contextual realism to the execution of the exercise by portraying many of the external actors that would pull on the HQ for attention. The cooperation and interaction with such external civilian actors was well received by all.

Joint Force Command was portrayed by NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - SPAIN (NRDC-ESP); Deputy Minister of Hellenic National Defence addresses they provided a level and depth of the Distinguished Visitors at EX.GOKT20 DV Day

Distinguished Visitors at NRDC-GR AOCC during EX.GOKT20 DV Day

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EX.GOKT20 DV day Group Photo complexity that would have been Group (SAG) integration proved to be valuable experience through working hard to replicate were it not for their crucial for the success of the exercise. and contact with other formations. superb assistance. The fact that the Moreover, the establishment of the NRDC-GR, once again demonstrated team was headed by an ex NRDC- Communication & Engagement its readiness, this time as a MC LCC GR member now an ESP-OF5 was a Coordination Centre (CECC) in HQ, ready to assume this challenging welcome addition. order to coordinate all aspects of role for the next years. Communication related activities The exercise offered an excellent (STRATCOM, Engagements, Civil opportunity for CIS personnel to get Military Interaction, military Public trained on tools and procedures. Affairs) and non-lethal Targeting under Throughout the exercise the Signals the control of the Communication Brigade provided all necessary Division, was another successful communications in the Command venue for the HQ. Post. 490 Signals Battalion and 31 Informatics Company established all In conclusion, GOKT20 was an the networks in the exercise locations excellent opportunity for the NRDC- Charampos STACHTARIS and set up more than six hundred GR Staff to get trained, experiment OF-4 (GRC A) Computers, two hundred telephone and be evaluated in the MC LCC SO1 Exercises NRDC-GR/G7 devises, twenty three servers and procedures of Article 5 operations; other equipment. allowing the HQ to stretch itself mentally during all the phases from Last, but by no means least, the CRP to execution, proved invaluable. involvement of the Command Group The HQ successfully integrated along with the Special Advisors the new Staff members and gained

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THE IMPORTANCE OF AIR OPS IN MAJOR LAND CENTRIC OPERATIONS

In modern history, air power is associated with the support of friendly land maneuver while in the same time denying the opposing forces the ability to resist. In the field of operations, Air Force acts as a force multiplier and influencer to a great extend for the achievement of the desired effects and end state. However, in order for the Air Force to be efficient, a mere contribution with air sorties does not suffice. Instead, Air Force capabilities should be interweaved with those of the Army in a vivid model of coordination, common understanding and mutual respect widely known as Air Land Integration (ALI). The last years Pic.1: Achieving Cross - Domain Synergy numerous discussions and articles environment. In most major land were situations where air interdiction reflect this homogenization (scheme centric operations, the percentage played an important role in impending 1). of ALI achieved was an indicator of the supply and reinforcement of According to Joint Analysis and victory. enemies’ lines of communication, the contribution of air power from the Lessons Learned Centre (2020), ALI However, to call a spade a aspect of land forces was perceived is the focused application of the Air spade, despite the theoretical only with regard to Close Air Support and Land Component capabilities acknowledgment of air operations’ (CAS). This was attributed mainly within a Joint Force to achieve joint importance, early wartime decision- to the fact that air support is the effects. Successful ALI is achieved makers underestimated Air Force’s support that the ordinary soldier can by the components integrating (not potential opting either not to take see, as J. Terraine (1988, p.156) has merely de-conflicting) activities to advantage of the full range of remarkably stated. maximize effects whilst minimizing its capabilities or to conduct air friction and duplication of effort. ALI operations in such a way which in In a similar vein, during the does not characterize a unidirectional fact created more problems than Vietnam War (1961-1973) instead relationship between the Army and solutions. of integrating air power into land the Air Force. In fact, it can suffer operations the philosophy of For instance, during the Korean either by improper application of route package was established, War (1950-1953), although there air power or land power in a joint acknowledging from one hand the

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This philosophy although it seemed to be working, it did not manage to create an ALI output and resulted in reduced air employment effectiveness.

The wars in the years that succeeded indicated that air operations were no longer a matter of choice but a necessity that no land commander could neglect. As a matter of fact, the Gulf War (1990- 1991) and the War in Afghanistan (2001) were contemporary operations where air power was used effectively in the interest of land operations. Pic.2: RHAF C-47 Deployment in Daegou, Korea In the past, land campaigns did not started before the air operations had completely suppressed enemy’s air defence and offensive capability. Later on, and particularly during Operation Enduring Freedom, air power was almost exclusively employed directly with the land component, which comprised small American Special Operations Forces (SOF) teams and local rebels.

Such was the success of this structure, that it became known as the Afghan Model (Biddle, 2005).

The conflict began in a traditional way with air power employed to strike key Taliban targets in order to secure control of the air. During Pic.3: Joint Operations in Vietnam War the subsequent land campaign necessity of air operations but employing them away from the fields of SOF and Northern Alliance rebels land operations. Route package philosophy primarily aimed to de-conflict systematically targeted the Taliban operations by dividing North Vietnam into seven sectors for each of which with the support of offensive air only one service (either the Army or the Air Force) was responsible to conduct (Andres, Wills, Thomas, Griffith, operations.

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targets, the Iraqi air defense system and critical infrastructures, rendering Iraq immobilized and the war won before it started. In addition, unlike surface forces that must generally fight sequentially and win the tactical battle before they can move to operational or strategic objectives, the Air Force can fight separate campaigns at different levels of war (Meilinger, Sachs, 1995). This is what exactly happened in Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.

While F-117s, F-15s, F- 111s and Tornados struck Iraqi nuclear research facilities, oil refineries Pic.4: JTAC coordination with A-10 during CAS Operations and airfields, F/A-18s, F-16s and 2005/6). consideration the amount of sorties Jaguars bombed rail yards and that can be flown in combination with bridges in southern Iraq to reduce The change in the way the number of targets destroyed by the flow of troops and supplies to contemporary Army Commanders every single aircraft, it is more than the Iraqi army. At the same time dealed with Air Force was not certain that an enemy would be A-10s, AV-8s and helicopters flew extravagant. The Air Force combines incapable of responding effectively to thousands of sorties against Iraqi a wide range of advantages some of any of the multiple impacts created. troops and equipment in Kuwait. which are unique among the three services. In contrast to the logic The most devastating demon- During the operation, the U.S. the Army operates, according to stration of this was during the first two and 40 allied nations, flew more than which the amount of force opposed days of the Gulf War when hundreds 18,000 air deployment missions, to an enemy should be proportional of coalition aircraft hit, among other more than 116,000 combat air to enemy’s force, the Air Force acts in a different way. With the strategic selection of aircraft types and weapons a commander is in a position to strike enemy targets while maintaining the amount of aircrafts used to only those required.

What is even more impressive is Ilias LADOPOULOS the fact that air operations can take OF-3 (HE A) SO1 OPS place in the entire depth of enemy’s NRDC GR/G9 territory thanks to the speed and range capability fighter jets have, while keeping the risk of casualties Pic.5: IDFAF Shahak 159 downs an Egyptian MiG-21PFM to a minimum. Taking also into during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973 43 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

power contribution to land operations still remains to an elementary level.

Judging though in retrospect, what we should all bear in mind is that it is no longer a matter of the soldier making his plan for battle on the ground and then turning to see how the air can help him. Land and air operations must be deliberately planned together to get the best out of each other (Slessor, 1936).

Pic.6: USAF F-16 & F-15 during Desert Storm campaign sorties and dropped 88,500 tons of Sinai front to the Golan Heights front, bombs. Air operations contribution from interdiction to close air support, to victory was apparent from the and they were able to make these fact that the ground campaign lasted shifts on a daily basis over a period only 100 hours before Kuwait was of several weeks (Meilinger, Sachs, Ilias TSITSIOS liberated. Last but not least, aircrafts 1995). OF-3 (HAF) can be used against more than one SO3 ASFAO History suggests that air and land NRDC-GR/AOCC target either that being deliberate or consolidated gains from prolonged dynamic. conflict often become lost skills in the An excellent example of this period afterwards (Kilvington, 2013). was given by the Israeli Air Force in This is the reason why after so many Yom Kippur War (1973). The Israelis military operations throughout the constantly shifted air power from the globe, there are instances where air

References

Andres, R., Wills, C., Thomas, E., Griffith, Jr., 2005/6. Winning with Allies: The Strategic Value of the Afghan Model. International Security, 30 (3), p. 133-135. Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC), 2020. JALLC/CG/20/034/05-03-2020 Report Air–Land Integration, Extending NATO’s Tactical Air Command and Control Capability to the Corps Level. Monsanto/Lisbon, Portugal : JALLC. Kilvington, S. P., 2013. Delivering effective Air-Land Integration (ALI) in the next war: what enduring lessons can UK Defence draw from historical and contemporary operations to generate and maintain an efficient, jointALI capability that is fit for future conflict?. King’s College London. Meilinger, P. S., Sachs, A. J., Air Force History and Museums Program (U.S.). 1995. 10 propositions regarding air power. Washington, D.C. : Air- Force History and Museums Program. Slessor, J. C., 1936. Air Power and Armies. Oxford : Oxford University -Biddle, S., 2005. Allies, Airpower, and Modern Warfare: The Afghan Model in Afghanistan and Iraq. International Security - INT SECURITY, 30, p. 161-176. Terraine, J., 1988. The right of the line: The Royal Air Force in the European War 1939-1945. London, U.K. : Hodder and Stoughton.

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LOGISTIC CHALLENGES IN MULTI CORPS LAND OPERATIONS, THE NRDC-GR REAR SUPPORT COMMAND (RSC) ROLE

“As we select our forces and plan our operations ... we must understand how logistics can impact on our concepts of operation... Commanders must base all their concepts of operations on what they know they can do logistically.” General Alfred M. Gray, Jr. 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps (July 1987 - June 1991)

“The Land Force is the dominate deployed more than 200.000 soldiers tanks and armored vehicles, more force in Joint Force Command and 1.000 tanks while the Axis forces than 1.700 helicopters and 41.000 (JFC) operational area and the deployed 116.000 soldiers and 500 cargo containers, were deployed and predominate user of logistics. Logistic tanks. The RAF crushed the supply redeployed using over 500 ships and sustainment of Land Forces is lines and the Allied submarines did not 10.000 aircraft sorties. critical for achieving and maintaining allow the Axis oil tankers to approach Over 95 billion meals were combat power. The LCC logistic staff the shore. Consequently the lack of served and 2.5 billion gallons of fuel supporting the operation coordinates fuel became the most critical factor consumed. and links sources of logistics across which led Rommel to his defeat3. the operational to tactical levels The truck-stops and the convoy and ensures maneuver forces are The Gulf War (1991) support centers, used for resting, equipped, supplied and maintained to refueling and maintaining the convoys, During this war, 650.000 soldiers, ensure it has the freedom of action to played a very crucial role in keeping 117.000 wheeled vehicles, 12.000 be decisive in accomplishing assigned the logistic support uninterrupted missions”1.

“Effective sustainment provides the commander the means to enable freedom of action and endurance and to extend operational reach”2.

Some examples of large scale operations from recent history can be recalled:

Battle of El Alamein (1942)

During this battle, the Allied forces Figure 1: Major Supply Routes and Logistic Bases

1ALP-4.2 Edition B Version 1 Land Forces Logistic Doctrine, Dec 2015. 2JP 4-0 Joint Logistics, Feb 2019. 3The Land Warfare Papers, Operational Logistics and the Gulf War, Oct 1992.

45 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles in a not at all benign environment Field Army and a Warfighting Corps above. (dessert terrain, high temperature, (or LCC), from logistic perspective, NRDC-GR is assigned as the “trafficability” issues) 3,4. seem to be the complexity and large first NFS MC-LCC. In the framework scale combat operations, over great NATO, acknowledging the of MC-LCC experimentation and distances, the quantity and diversity challenge of a large scale operation implementation, its former JLSG of the forces and the huge quantity of within its boundaries, adapted its was transformed to Rear Support supplies that are needed. structure inserting the role of the Multi- Command (RSC). The RSC is mirroring Corps Land Component Command According to the latest NATO the structure and the capabilities of (MC-LCC). approach, MC-LCCs needed to JLSG, which means that it has a Core provide C2 of land forces during Staff Element during peace time and if The MC-LCC is a Field Army Maximum Level of Effort (MLE) needed and decided, is tailored to the Formation which commands 2-5 should be resourced from NFS. Each specific mission. The determination of Corps and associated MC-LCC level MC-LCC will need to be supported by the requirements for the RSC is done combat enablers. It sets the conditions enablers, to ensure C2 and maneuver through the mission specific planning for subordinate Corps to focus on the through the battlefield. The capabilities process and its units have to be force close fight by integrating all elements and requirements of a MC-LCC have generated. The generic mission of of combat power in time and space been sufficiently detailed in the recent RSC is to be prepared to deploy on to disrupt, interdict and degrade relevant NATO documentation, yet COM NRDC-GR order, to the MC- the adversary while shaping the need to be experimented, revised LCC rear area, to provide general operational environment and enabling and finalized through the upcoming logistic support to subordinate Corps, friendly forces to ensure freedom of exercises and training events. and undertake theatre level (3rd action over the course of a campaign Below we will enumerate only line) logistic activities, informed by at the expense of its opponent. MC- selected elements, coming from the JLSG and as defined in the MC-LCC LCC COM advises the JFC COM on Operational and Logistic perspective. OPLAN. the proper employment of forces and capabilities, translates joint OPLANs A Field Army could be capable The RSC can undertake into tactical OPORDs, provides mutual to coordinate and synchronize numerous tasks, mainly enhancing support to other components within the sustainment efforts and additionally MC-LCC deployment, maneuver JOA, coordinates and synchronizes to that possibly assume other tasks and sustainability. During the first land domain operations into the joint that are above Corps level i.e. to stage of the operation the main environment and synchronizes all be prepared to support Reception, effort is Reception, Staging and elements of combat power in support Staging and Onward Movement and Onward Movement, liaising with of land operations. MC-LCC may be Integration when requested in the HN and other logistic stakeholders responsible for commanding non- AOO and be ready to fill voids not already on the ground, stockpiling mutually supporting land elements covered by other entities as a result of supplies etc. Subsequently, in geographically separate areas of the complexity and large scale when sustainment of the force and of a single, larger JOA. While being multi-national operations. In the latest supporting the manoeuvre becomes responsible for prioritization of efforts version of AFS Volume VII (Jan 20), the main effort, forward supply points, and effects related to the land domain we see a number of criteria that MC- convoy support centres, opening of across the JOA. LCC has to fulfil, which are in line with new points of debarkation (Air, Sea, the MC-LCC requirements mentioned Rail) to expand the Joint Logistic The main differences between a

4The Long Haul, Sustainment Operations in Large-Scale Combat Operations

46 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles

accomplish such a mission?

On the other hand, we must not underestimate that RSC still needs to be force generated, asking from Troops Contributing Nations (TCN) valuable logistic capabilities that even JLSG is straggling to get. Considerations are also to be taken when it comes to the RSC involvement in the overall Logistic C2.

In conclusion, the role and the importance of RSC under MC-LCC is yet to be fully explored and potentially discovered. The MC-LCC Seminar that will be conducted in Jan – Feb Figure 2: Major Supply Routes and Logistic Bases 2021 by NRDC-GR will give us the supported soldiers were more than opportunity for further investigation Support Network (JLSN), could be 500.000. Only for Class 1 (food and and conclusions. undertaken, always in coordination water), 1 Combat DOS comprises with the JLSG operating in the area 600.000 MRES and 5,4 million liters (figure 2). In general, RSC is a tool of water, that cost totally 8.421.000 in the hands of the MC-LCC COM € per day. The Main Supply Routes to cover any possible gaps that may (MSR) were extended more than occur between the 3rd and 2nd line 600 km, increasing dramatically of logistic support, meaning between the consumption of fuel and the JLSG and the CSS formations of its transportation means. subordinate Corps. According to SHAPE documents, The concept and procedures of JLSG is responsible to provide the Sotirios BAKAOUKAS OF-5 (GRC A) RSC HQ were partially experimented Theatre Level Logistic support to during EX “GORDIAN KNOT ACOS RSPT MC-LCC during operations. In a NRDC-GR/RSPT 2020” (GOKT-20), due to its limited large scale operation involving up deployment and the lack of a proper to 5 Corps in front and numerous JLSG HICON that could challenge theatre troops behind, only in the land RSC role at all levels. This is why domain, puts a huge challenge on we cannot extract safe conclusions the logistic support. JLSG will have mainly on the domain of coordination to run several logistic bases, APOD, and de-confliction with JTF JLSG. SPODS, railheads, running through a Nevertheless, some numbers constantly expanding JOA, ensuring from the GOKT-20 scenario give a an uninterrupted 3rd line, no matter feeling of how demanding MC-LCC how long it stretches in distance and operations can be, challenging all time. A question could be raised: logistic stakeholders involved: The is JLSG, as we know it, able to

47 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES: EMERGING AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE SOUTH

Introduction Technologies (EDT) are gaining at creating “good relations and better considerable attention as they have mutual understanding and confidence Throughout the ages technology the potential to change the rules of throughout the region, promoting has been evolving as a response the game globally, and especially as regional security and stability and to the diverse requirements of the they shape the security agenda in explaining NATO’s policies and human society. The Industrial Age the South, that is and goals”. A similar initiative is the has signaled the start of an era in North Africa (MENA), Sahel and Sub- Cooperation Initiative (since which technologies have taken centre Saharan Africa. During the previous 2004) which offers to countries of the stage of human life. However, the years, we have witnessed Unmanned broader Middle East region practical Information Age has taken the game Aerial Vehicles (UAV) attacks in bilateral security cooperation with to the next level: It has established many countries of the Middle East, NATO. Other initiatives, including unswerving interconnection between like Yemen, Iraq, , Saudi Arabia the Resolute Support Mission in the future survival of the human race and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Afghanistan, the Sea Guardian in the and technology dependence. But On the other hand, financially or Mediterranean Sea and the NATO everything comes at a cost. politically motivated cyberattacks are Mission Iraq, most obviously depict Emerging technologies are multiplying, whereas non-state armed the Alliance’s pledge to training and innovative technologies that are at groups and state actors are gaining defence capacity building in the region. different stages of development. access to lethal technologies. With this in mind, the NATO Strategic Disruptive technologies are Direction-South Hub (NSD-S Hub) Since the North Atlantic Council something quite different: They are initiative was brought into existence meeting in Warsaw (July 2016), those revolutionary innovations that in 2017, connecting NATO allies and NATO has pledged itself to enhance suddenly and unexpectedly displace partners with subject matter experts resilience by better understanding an established technology from the (SMEs) coming from local and these kind of technologies and market, drastically changing the way regional institutions from the South assessing their military applicability. organizations and industries function in order to enhance comprehensive The ultimate goal is to comprehend and fundamentally altering the status understanding and promote peace how Emerging and Disruptive quo of the market space. Disruptive and stability. Technologies challenge the security technologies include, but are not environment for the South and to Challenges limited to, innovations in artificial figure out ways to address them in intelligence, robotics, autonomous Human society has always been cooperation with key stakeholders. systems, Internet of Things (ΙοΤ), shaped by advances in technology. 3D printing, nanotechnology, Peace and stability in the South However, over the past decades biotechnology, material science and is tied to the security and stability technological innovation, renewable quantum computing. However, these of Europe and thus it has become energy transition, rapid digital innovations are projected not only to a NATO priority especially in the transformation and a mind-blowing upset the market, but also to bring Post-Cold War era. Since 1994, explosion in electronic connectivity major social transformations, boost NATO’s concern about the South have produced unprecedented military competences and challenge has been illustrated through various economic and social development existing defence architectures. initiatives. First and foremost, the throughout the world. Mediterranean Dialogue, which aims Emerging and Disruptive The impact of this change has been 48 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles

as well as to fiber- the CoViD-19 pandemic that has optic and satellite skyrocketed online global economy. communications. Another risk consists of the Simultaneously, the ability of hostile actors (state and level of technological non-state) to disseminate fake literacy of the news, spread disinformation and people in the South thus exercise political manipulation. has increased expo- Disinformation campaigns comprise nentially, accelera- not a mere technical problem, but ting progress in mainly a strategic one, because they addressing youth are being used first and foremost as learning problems instruments for achieving broader even more visible in low and middle and skills gaps in key regions. strategic objectives. The Middle income countries in the global South It goes without saying that this East constitutes a highly polarized than in developed ones in Europe transformation is beneficial for the environment characterized by fragile and North America. The induction population’s everyday life: internet relations between states, where the of this rapid technological evolution payment systems and cell phone local audiences tend to discredit the seems even more transformative, banking in one hand and on the traditional information media, due and therefore more disruptive and other a brisk momentum for start-up to lack of integrity. This results to an uncontrollable, regarding societies entrepreneurship that provides the acute turn of the above mentioned across Africa and the Middle East. The chance to local communities to be lifted audiences to more extrovert and majority of the contemporary growth out of poverty and gain connection to dynamic channels such as the internet and development theories consider the wider world. However, every coin and social media, which are immensely technology and innovation as the most has two sides: this mutation comes vulnerable to disinformation. Fake significant drivers of economic growth. with considerable and multifaceted news propaganda perpetuated by Those regions, trying to keep up with risks. social media users and official media the rest of the globe, seem to have makes it difficult for the audience to leap-frogged traditional technologies One of the fiercest risks resides differentiate facts from misinformation. related with the industrialization in the immensely expanded attack process of the previous century, platform for both cyberwarfare by The trend in disinformation by attempting to jump straight to state adversaries and cyber-threats dissemination that is unequivocally alternatively distributed and cross- from non-state actors. The exploding challenging is the creation of the so cutting technologies that are driven increase in the number of people that called “internet assault forces” by by internet and enabled via cyber- use social media creates a convenient state and non-state actors in order breakthroughs. surface for malicious actors to reach to enhance their public opinion an enormous audience. Unfortunately, influence. These shadowy forces have These kinds of technologies region’s citizens seem to lack cyber evolved over time from the electronic are operated mainly via portable security awareness and therefore armies that existed in Syria and Iraq apparatus such as smartphones they tend to appear ill prepared for and now are employed to help state and tablets, that are continuously mitigating the consequences of this actors to support their objectives. connected to Wireless Fidelity (Wi- risk, whereas businesses facing Those ambitious campaigns are Fi) or cell phone networks. Those this challenge will have to cope with anything but straightforward: they devices are capable of having access fragmented structures and weak propagate messages, spread fake to space-based systems such as governance. To make things worse, news, sponsor “political engineering”, Global Positioning System (GPS), cyber-resilience is hampered by undermine government reliability and 49 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Αrticles state coherence, challenge leadership age technological boost is the military operations including UAVs, independence and in general they evolving Internet of Things (IoT) and tele-operated weapons and fully surreptitiously promote the hostile the massive proliferation of “smart” autonomous air, land and maritime actors’ infiltration in line with their equipment and infrastructure. The systems. Despite relevant arms goals. Consequently anti-western IoT technology can be implemented control measures, MENA region has narratives seem to be advancing over in virtually any industry where become a thriving lethal laboratory pro-western ones, whereas western- something can be automated and in which UAV technology is evolving friendly media’s influence tends to therefore it is already advancing in and maturing rapidly under combat diminish in the region. agriculture, logistics, security systems conditions. Unlike nuclear weapons, and especially in the Smart City autonomous weapons do not Overall, hostile state actors add concept. Despite IoT still being in the require costly and inaccessible another weapon to the traditional early stages of uptake, it is constantly raw materials and therefore are diplomatic and military ones, by gaining momentum in the South. prone to mass production, even by conducting public opinion warfare While IoT is responsible for creating non-state actors. Broader failure through these proxy forces. The opportunities, it also conceals threats to prevent the proliferation of the implementation of this strategy for connected populations and urban autonomous weapons is calamitous: via fake news and social media areas. The exponentially growing These weapons are threatening to propaganda aims to manipulate the interconnection of multiple units is be employed as the AK-47s of this public perception in order to create most probably going to generate century. social unrest. Through online influence security vulnerabilities and pose these assault forces generate physical But the story seems to unravel threats regarding unauthorized demonstrations and enable the hostile even more, as Machine Learning access to personal data. actors to maintain their clout over the and Artificial Intelligence (AI) pose region. To put it simply, disinformation Beyond any doubt both states paramount threats for security, becomes an instrument for multiplying and non-state armed groups have even as they offer praiseworthy the state actors’ soft power. gained access to various autonomous opportunities for the human race. systems that can be used for Uncontrolled development of AI could The tip of the spear of the new bring cataclysmic consequences to the future of human labor environment and literally every aspect of security: digital, physical and even political. AI and digital privacy are among the largest concerns that come with an immensely interconnected digital society. The total sum of these capabilities makes possible a ‘Big Brother’ Orwellian world like even the most malevolent dictator in the past never dreamed possible. The potential for abuse at many levels is simply overwhelming and given human nature it will most probably occur. In the not so distant future technology breakthroughs in human 50 NRDC·GR erald Αrticles performance enhancement and survive and prosper in the modern resilience across the cyber and the genomic editing will produce further economy. Inevitably, this would lead physical domains. National defence moral and ethical debates. They to increased unemployment and and intra-state security will still have will bring about radical changes inequality that would further create to rely on traditional deterrence, but in in the fields of medicine and tensions and security challenges for order to address surreptitious actors pharmaceuticals, and simultaneously the region. that employ emerging and disruptive will boost military capabilities. On technologies, resilience is a key The huge difference in prosperity the other hand, further advances notion and not just another buzzword. opportunities between the urban and in crypto-currencies will enhance the rural areas may finally lead to an Since 2016 NATO has already international volatility and change the increased domestic migration. Yet, confirmed its resilience agenda, by direction of the global security debate. the region’s urban areas are already identifying the seven critical areas Last but not least Emerging and experiencing overstretch as a result necessary for building effective Disruptive Technologies may assume of exploding unplanned growth and deterrence by denial. These areas a central role in a broader set of therefore the domestic overflow of are called the seven baseline strategies planned to contribute to migrants will most certainly lead to requirements and include continuity of the growth and diversification of the creation of informal settlements government, resilient energy supplies, the regional economies, even amid on the urban outskirts. Nevertheless, resilient civil communications services, the current global economic crisis. MENA region still remains one of the resilient food and water resources, The prospect of tying access to jobs most vulnerable to a potential food ability to deal effectively with large and opportunities exclusively to crisis areas, whereas it is also the scale population movements, technological literacy is something world’s most water-stressed region. ability to deal with mass casualties that the societies of Africa and Middle Any of these types of shortages are and resilient transport systems. East will have to cope with. The real most likely to increase the risk of a Those requirements combined with danger lies to the fact that technical violent crisis. supporting activities by the Alliance education and electronic connectivity could shape a handy framework for Recommendations seem to be available only to a minority addressing the EDT challenges in an of mostly male and urban populations. What should be NATO’s respond efficient way. Rural populations in these regions are to this swiftly changing and volatile already suffering political exclusion environment? Using traditional and economic marginalization and methods to face a new spectrum of soon will have to face a technology threats is simply put anachronistic. and connectivity gap. Getting to the On the contrary, NATO has already root of the problem one can reach back constructed a total defence system to the outdated educational systems in Scandinavia and the Baltic region that fail to provide its students with by building resilience in order to Nikolaos BARMPERIS the kinds of skills needed for private deter hostile state actors. This OF-3 (GRC A) sector jobs. These systems are most time NATO should collaborate with Chief Social Media & Internet certainly unable to produce graduates partners in Africa and the Middle East NRDC-GR/PAO with the requisite knowledge to and leverage deterrence through

References Lele, Ajey. Disruptive Technologies for the Militaries and Security, Singapore: Springer, 2019 Kovalcikova Nad’a and Tabatai, Ariane, Five Authoritarian Pandemic Messaging Frames and How to Respond, Washington, DC: German Marshall Fund of the United States, 2020 Webinar on Emerging Disruptive Technologies in the Middle East and Africa, Norfolk, VA: OPEN publications, 2020

51 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Affiliated Units

HELLENIC TANK CHALLENGE 2020

Finally, during the 4st phase, were carrying and/or dragging a LEO2 towing cable.

MEDICAL EVACUATION AND BATTLE DAMAGE REPAIR: Crews had to provide first aid to a ‘’wounded’’ soldier and repair caused by an IED, meaning that they had to split the vehicle track and assemble it again.

TANK RECOVERY UNDER CBR CONDITIONS: Crews had to set for towing a damaged tank under NBC conditions, and tow it for 20 meters Crews’ commemorative photo during “Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020” DV Day wearing personal CBR masks.

The XX Armored Division hosted For the first time, in this year’s CALL FOR FIRES: The Platoon once again the HELLENIC TANK competition a USAREUR’s Tank Leader had to timely and accurately CHALLENGE, a 5 days in a row Platoon participated, coming from the call for indirect fires. After the Call for competition held between 14 and 18 C’ Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Fires request, a simulated contact with Sep 2020 at “PETROCHORI” field 15th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed range in Xanthi, Greece. ‘’Charlie Rock’’.

The Hellenic Tank Challenge is an A sort description of the tests initiative of the General which took place: Staff (HAGS) Armor Directorate and The TANKER’S OLYMPICS: Each can be described in headlines as: tank crew member had to complete 1 Competition one segment of 100m as part of a four-part relay race, carrying different 10 Challenges tank related objects like ammo, tank 6 Evaluation Areas road wheel, track shoe and towing cable. 8 crewmembers from each 5 Evaluation Days platoon competed in the event which had 4 phases: During the 1st phase, 3 Tank Types the crewmembers were carrying 5 Tank Platoons ammunition (one 120mm caliber tank round and one 7,62 20 Tank Crews ammo can). On the 2st phase, were 120 Competitors carrying and/or rolling a LEO2 tank road wheel. For the 3st phase, they Tanker’s Olympics challenge: Greek Army 95 120mm Rounds were carrying a LEO2 track shoe. crew member dragging a towing cable 52 NRDC·GR erald Affiliated Units

attack with live fire tank shooting. The Tank Platoon executed a forward passage of lines and attacked in zone, under the command and control of a (fictional) Company Commander, making use of direct fire to suppress and destroy enemy forces (distance 2.000 m.) and seize the objective.

DEFENSIVE OPS: The Tank Platoon had to prepare and execute defensive ops, under the command and control of a (fictional) Company Commander, against enemy maneuver forces to retain key terrain, US Army M1A2 Abrams during “Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020” block enemy direction of attack and enemy’s antitank weapon occurred PRECISION DRIVING: The destroy enemy forces. and the Platoon Leader had to issue MBTs had to be driven around a pre- a FRAGO to face the threat. marked course and navigated around On the last day of the competition obstacles including high speed stop (which was also the DVDay), a tank RANGE ESTIMATION: Crews and maneuvers. platoon was formed by the 3 types of had to estimate the distance to tanks participating in the challenge several targets without using a laser VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION: (M1A2 ABRAMS, Leopard 2HEL, range finder. The Tank Platoon had to conduct Leopard 2A4) and executed a shooting movement on a specific route and demonstration verifying the level of PISTOL SHOOTING: Each identify 20 vehicles from a random the cooperation and interoperability crewmember had to shoot from assortment of pictures of NATO and gained by the crews during the week. prone, kneeling and standing position non-NATO nations posted along the and then the tank commander and the route. Loader had 4 shots from their hatches Tank Competitions respectively. OFFENCIVE OPS: Platoon size The Hellenic Tank Challenge is one of the many tank competitions that took or still take place around the world. Some of the most well-known ones are:

Canadian Army Trothy (CAT)

In 1963 the Canadian Army

Greek Army LEO 2HEL Platoon during “Offensive Ops Challenge” organized a precision tank firing 5353 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Affiliated Units competition at the NATO Training Center in Bergen - Hohen in northern Germany (80km south of Hamburg). Thus was established the ‘’Canadian Army Trophy’’ (CAT) which included crews from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The race was originally held every year and after 1973 was held every 2 years. A Belgian tank crew won the first competition with an M47 Patton tank. A total of 17 CAT were conducted with the last one in 1991. In 9 of them the winner was a crew with a Leopard tank (6 German crews, 2 Dutch and 1 Canadian), in 4 crews with British Centurion or Chieftain tanks (3 British Tank Firing competition “Canadian Army Trophy” crews and 1 Canadian) and the remaining 4 with American M47 or M1 Reorganization Center from Fort Abrams tanks (3 Belgian crews and 1 Benning, delayed for a few years a American). large-scale shooting competition. Finally, it was decided and assigned to the Armor Training Center the design, preparation and organization of the Sullivan Cup Battle tank races. Battle Biathlon 15 crews, representing Units of all Russia has introduced the “Battle Armored and Infantry Brigades of the Tank Biathlon”, a new military sport US Army, the National Guard and the involving skill, speed and precision Armor School Center, participated and tank shooting. The first international tested in many challenges and shots. competition took place near Moscow Sullivan Cup The specific crews were the best in the Alabino region and the attending of their Units and their level of skills crews were from Russia, , From May 7 to May 10, 2012, the can be considered to be exceptional and . The idea of a American Armor School organized a as many of them were experienced competition between the crews was competition for precision tank firing in military operations. Since then, introduced by the Russian Ministry of and crew skills. During the week, 15 the Sullivan Cup takes place the first Defense during a routine tank shooting M1A2 Abrams crews competed for week of May in even numbered years. training. It was argued that the military the ‘’Sullivan Cup’’, named in honor of needed a multidimensional test of the General Gordon Sullivan, 32nd Chief professionalism of the tank crews of Staff of the United States Army and their shooting skills. The basic (1991-1995). The involvement and idea behind the tank race was simple participation of the USA operations in and it repeats the rules of the classic Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the biathlon: cover 20km in the shortest relocation of the US Armed Forces 54 NRDC·GR erald Affiliated Units

number of participating countries varies (so far 6-8, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, UK, Ukraine, USA) and each country participates with 1 tank platoon. Its COM of Hellenic 1st Army and US Mil. duration is 2 weeks (1 Attaché exchanging souvenirs on DV Day of “Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020” for preparation and 1 Four T-72B tanks of the participants, for execution), while armored brigades, having different “Tank Biathlon 2013” observers from NATO type of MBTs participating every other possible time having successfully hit member countries are also invited. year. In 2019, Battalions with Leopard the targets. The targets were to be The whole challenge is based on 1A5 participated and in 2020, Leopard hit with all available means: cannon, 12 tests (that vary every year) of 2 Battalions and a Abrams Platoon of close protection machine gun and shooting, technical issues and crews’ USAREUR. For the record, the final anti-aircraft machine gun. This means physical condition. results were: that there were three shooting areas In the 1st place the Platoon of the to use all weapons. 211th Tank Battalion. In the 2nd place the ‘’Charlie Rock’’ Platoon, and 3rd place for the Platoon of the 25th Tank Battalion.

During the challenge, it was verified once again that “the best tank Hellenic Tank Challenge is the one with the best-trained crew”. Hopefully, in the upcoming years more The first HELLENIC TANK countries will participate. Strong Europe CHALLENGE was held in 2018, following the example of the “Strong The “Strong Europe Arms Europe Tank Challenge” and according Challenge” was introduced in 2016 to the standards of a corresponding by the US Army Europe and the international competition. Next year, it German Army at the Grafenwoehr was decided that the challenge would Exercise Field in Germany. The be held with the participation of all

Kosmas KRITSIS OF-5 (GRC A) Chief of Staff XX Greek Armoured Division

Strong Europe Tank Challenge 2016 5555 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Affiliated Units

2ND MOUNTAIN BRIGADE - ROMANIA

Being the main big unit with 1 mountain specific in Romanian national defense system means some “big boots” to fill for 2nd Mountain Brigade. Among current activities, big national and international exercises provide the opportunity for the entire military personnel to obtain and keep a high training capability and this represents the main priority and 2 3 mission for the brigade. Because being part of NATO means assumption, responsibility and common effort the 2nd Mountain Brigade did its best and successfully accomplished all the missions together with other NATO members, in different operational areas. For the brigade this is the top priority and responsibility and the main effort is always directed towards 4 this kind of missions.

SARMIS-19 – ROMANIA

Acting in mountains and being a unit of such kind gave the opportunity to plan, organize and conduct the biggest international exercise in a mountainous area of last year, called SARMIS-19. The exercise had multinational participation and involved Units from Bulgaria and Great Britain and gave the opportunity Pic.1, 2, 3, 4: Exercise “SARMIS-19” in Romania to our soldiers to train in common with in order to gather information about it, time represented a great challenge for foreign military personnel and also manifesting interest in future joining the aircrafts and their operators due of provided a good experience for the the exercise with troops. This exercise the nature of the terrain and weather foreign partners in regards of training made possible the common training of conditions. in mountainous areas. Moreover, a ground and air forces and in the same French delegation joined the exercise 56 NRDC·GR erald Affiliated Units

“Black Bats” in Poland

Training in allied context in north-east Poland. This represented another important mission for the Brigade in which the Air Defence Battalion assured for six months the 5 presence in the north-east flank of the Alliance, where they achieved a high level of interoperability. In accordance with Warsaw Summit, the “Black Bats” trained together with the Polish, U.S., British and Croat allies in different exercises having various missions in regards of providing air defence for 6 7 ground fighting units or facilities. The Pic. 5, 6, 7: “Black Bats” in Poland main purpose of these exercises and the goal of common training, was to of interoperability between the air force protection in Kandahar, the establish and maintain a good level defence elements. “Black Vipers” also provided force protection in Kabul province with one Company level element. Force ‘’Black Vipers’’ in Afghanistan 8 protection missions consisted of patrol missions in the area of operations and The spring of 2020 came with its proximity, main gate protection and another big challenge for 2nd access and also close protection for Mountain Brigade; the deployment of training teams. 21st Force Protection Battalion “Black Vipers” for six months in Kandahar province, Afghanistan in order to participate in “Resolute Support” NATO mission. The main mission of the battalion was to provide force protection and to establish a high level of interoperability with U.S. and 9 Bulgarian partners. Besides providing

10 Valentin GRECU OF-4 (ROM A) Chief of Operations 2nd Mountain Brigade

Pic. 8, 9, 10: “Black Vipers” in Afghanistan 5757 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Seminars - Conferences FINAL COORDINATION CONFERENCE OF EXERCISE GORDIAN KNOT 2020

NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece HQ held the Final Coordination Conference (FCC) of Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 20 (GOKT20) on the 2nd and 3rd of July 2020, after successfully completing the Main Event List / Main Incident List (MEL/MIL) Workshop that took place from June 15 to July 1, 2020. GOKT20 was the national experimentation venue that trained NRDC-GR in planning and conducting as a Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MC LCC) HQ an Article 5, Major Joint Operation Plus (MJO+), due to COVID-19 restrictions. All COVID-19 potential restrictions. in all domains. measures have been taken in order Still, the coordination between all The exercise planning process has to ensure the safety of the personnel, participants and the quality of MEL/ been a challenge this year, as several resulting, despite the hardships, MIL products was exceptional. of its activities had to be rescheduled reduced risk from any unforeseen 58 NRDC·GR erald Seminars - Conferences

NRDC-GR INTERNSHIP INDUCTION TRAINING

On October 6th 2020, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece (NRDC-GR), conducted the Internship Induction Training at its premises. The Chief of Staff Major General (GRC A) Antonios CHATZIGEORGIOU,welcomed the new members of the NRDC-GR Internship Program (NIP) and wished them a fruitful and educational experience, hoping they will bring fresh and out of the box ideas to the Branches they have been embedded. Furthermore, they had the opportunity to participate in Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 2020 and realized how demanding the upcoming year will be for the HQ, due to the transition and experimentation as a Multi – Corps Land Component Command (MC LCC) HQ.

59 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Seminars - Conferences

16TH PLENARY CONFERENCE

Οn November 5th 2020, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Greece (NRDC-GR) Headquarters organized and conducted the 16th Plenary Conference under the auspices of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS).

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Plenary was conducted through teleconference; all the National Representatives and other participants attended from their working places.

As NRDC-GR is taking the challenging role of Multi Corps Land Component Command (MC LCC), our intention is to have an HQ structure suitable to adapt to the demands of the entire mission spectrum from NRF to MC LCC.

The participating Nations representatives during the Plenary confirmed their commitment to NRDC-GR, while they reached a consensus on all discussed subjects; thus proving once again that NRDC- GR is a capable and adaptable organization whose strengths are: synergy, common values and team spirit.

60 NRDC·GR erald Seminars - Conferences

19TH SENIOR RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING

on 20th November 2020, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Greece (NRDC-GR) organized its own 19th Senior Resources Committee (SRC) meeting. The event, initially scheduled to take place in Valencia, Spain, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions, was assigned to each NFS entity to organize locally the meeting with the consultation of its own SNRs. The whole event was conducted via teleconference and representatives from HNDGS (Hellenic National Defense General Staff) also participated.

61 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Seminars - Conferences

The purpose of the SRC meeting, which is held on an annual rotation basis, is to provide a NFS GRF(L) HQ the opportunity to present to the participant Nations, the budget for the next year and thus to get their funding approval for the support of the upcoming activities. Additionally, to present its budget planning for the upcoming five years (Medium Term Financial Plan).

The SRC 2020 meeting was initially addressed (opening remarks) by the Chief of Staff of NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece (NRDC- GR), Major General (GRC A) Antonios CHATZIGEORGIOU, who underlined that both, responsible administration of resources entrusted to the HQ by the participating Nations and the constant effort to achieve the optimal balance between cost and efficiency, must be adopted as principles for a successful financial management.

The chairman of the hosting HQ, NRDC-GR/Financial Controller Colonel (GRC A) Theodoros TZOUVELEKIS, mentioned that SRC meeting offers a unique opportunity to NATO entities and National authorities, to increase their interaction and thus to contribute further to the form of a common understanding financial ground something that constitutes the cornerstone of the Alliance.

The concerned meeting was successfully concluded for NRDC- GR as the HQ both got the approval of the Participating Nations National Representatives for its submitted 2021 budget proposal and also MTFP 2022-2025.

62 NRDC·GR erald Seminars - Conferences NRDC-GR CYBER OPERATIONS SEMINAR

on 15th and 16th December 2020, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Greece (NRDC-GR) organized and conducted the “2020 Cyber Operations Seminar”. The event, initially scheduled to take place in the Officers Club of Thessaloniki, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions was conducted via teleconference.

During the two days event, distinguished speakers from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), NATO Centers of Excellence [Cooperative Cyber Defence (CCD) and Security Force Assistance (SFA)], NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) and Hellenic Universities, gave interesting and enlightening lectures in order to address cyber operation challenges that military planners face during the Operations Planning Process. In order to have a comprehensive and holistic approach, the entire spectrum of the ‘’fifth dimension operations’’ was covered; including the legal aspects, cyber threats, etc.

63 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Visits - Community Relations

KFOR COMMANDER

On July 16th 2020, the KFOR Commander Major General (ITA A) Michele RISI accompanied by a KFOR delegation, visited NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Greece Headquarters on the opportunity of their presence in Thessaloniki. The distinguished visitor had an official call by the Commander of NRDC – GR Lieutenant General Dimitrios KOUKKOS where they had the opportunity to discuss about issues of common interest. During the visit they received a detailed brief on the structure, mission and training activities of NRDC-GR.

KFOR CHIEF OF STAFF

On September 4th 2020, the KFOR Chief of Staff, Brigadier General (US Army) Larry HENRY, accompanied by a KFOR delegation, visited NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Greece Headquarters, in order for him to familiarize with the HQ organization and training activities routinely conducted. This was a follow up on the KFOR COM visit on July 16th. The distinguished visitor had a courtesy call by the NRDC – GR COS, of common interest, improvement the visit they received a detailed brief Major General (GRC A) Antonios of the cooperation between the two on the structure, mission and training CHATZIGEORGIOU, where they had entities and domains that NRDC-GR activities of NRDC-GR. the opportunity to discuss about issues can provide support to KFOR. During 64 NRDC·GR erald Visits - Community Relations

DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

On September 17th, 2020, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece Commander, Lieutenant General Dimitrios KOUKKOS, welcomed in the Headquarters’ premises, the Deputy Minister of National Defense and former C’ Corps/NRDC-GR Commander, Mr. Alkiviadis STEFANIS, who paid an official visit. After an official welcome, a briefing was delivered to the distinguished visitor, regarding the structure, role and mission of NRDC-GR, as well as the upcoming challenges (such as Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 20) due to the new role of NRDC-GR as a Multi- Corps Land Component Command (ML LCC) HQ. Deputy Minister of National Defence, congratulated the NRDC- GR personnel for their performance and achievements so far, expressed his appreciation to the Allied personnel and stressed how demanding the upcoming year will be for the HQ due to the transition and experimentation as a MC LCC.

6565 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Visits - Community Relations

LANDCOM COMMANDER

On October 14th up to 16th 2020, the Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) Commander Lieutenant General (US Army) Roger L. CLOUTIER Jr, accompanied by a LANDCOM delegation, visited NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece in Thessaloniki. On the 14th, the distinguished visitor had an official call by the Commander of NRDC – GR Lieutenant General Dimitrios KOUKKOS where they had the opportunity to discuss about issues of common interest. Then he visited the famous Museum LANDCOM Commander in NRDC-GR of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina). Situation Awareness Briefing during EX. GOKT20

LANDCOM Commander in NRDC-GR TOC during EX. GOKT20 66 NRDC·GR erald Visits - Community Relations

On the 15th, he visited the Assiros area where NRDC-GR is deployed for the final phase of the Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 2020 (CPX GOKT20). During the visit he received a detailed brief on the structure, mission and training activities of NRDC-GR and of course about the GOKT20, which is the venue for the evaluation of NRDC-GR in planning and conducting an Article 5 Major Joint Operation (MJO+). On the 16th, he was present for the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV Day), held on the last day of GOKT20. LANDCOM Commander in NRDC-GR AOCC during EX. GOKT20

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION BETWEEN NRDC-GR AND INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC UNIVERSITY

On December 11th 2020, the Commander of NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Greece (NRDC- GR), Lieutenant General Dimitrios KOUKKOS and the President of the Governing Board of the International Hellenic University (IHU), Professor Athanassios KAISSIS, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the two organizations. The ceremony took place at NRDC- Technological Educational Institute as well as to create a link between GR COM’s office, with limited public of Thessaloniki, the former research and training with society. attendance, due to the COVID-19 Technological Educational Institute ζThe ceremony was conducted restrictions. of Central Macedonia and the former in a cordial atmosphere and both Technological Educational Institute of officials expressed their commitment The IHU consisting of nine Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. to a productive cooperation that will Schools and thirty three departments prove of great benefit for the military was re-established in 2019 in its The aim of the MoC is to establish personnel of NRDC-GR and the current location in Thessaloniki, mutually beneficial synergies academic society. following a merge with the Alexander between NRDC-GR and the IHU

6767 HQ NRDC·GR Herald Visits - Community Relations

68 NRDC·GR erald NRDC·GR July - December 2020/Issue 15 Overview erald EDITORIAL BOARD COMMUNICATION DIVISION/Public Affairs Office (PAO) Chief PAO OF-5 (GRC A) Thomas SYRPAS D.Chief PAO EDITORIAL OF-4 (GRC A) Athanasios PAPATHANASIOU PA SOs Dear reader, OF-4 (GRC A) Paschalis KAMPOURIS OF-3 (GRC N) Athina SMYRLIDOU OF-3 (GRC A) Nikolaos BARMPERIS Everybody agrees that 2020 has been a difficult year Production OF-1 (GRC A) Georgios THEODOROU and for sure the strangest period for our generation. The Combat Camera COVID 19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives OR-7 (GRC A) Konstantinos BALAMPANOS OR-6 (GRC A) Alexandros ATSKAKANIS and its impact to our daily (personal and professional) Communication Information routine, activities, social habits, etc. is more than significant. Tel.: +30 2310 882452 / IVSN 451-2452 email: [email protected], email: [email protected] Yet, NRDC-GR continued and will continue to operate www.nrdc.gr Twitter: @NRDC-GR Facebook: NATO Rapid Deployeable Corps - Greece and perform its activities. Following the protective protocols, YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/nrdcgreece we continued our training; with EX “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” Commander’s Corner being the highlight of our annual activities, conducted our NRDC-GR Commander’s Corner p.01 conferences and seminars (mainly remotely) and getting Special Guests prepared for the future. • The right medium for transmitting specific messages to your target audiences during a crisis situation p.02 And the future for NRDC-GR has a name: Multi Corps • Protection of Civilians and Border Management: Land Component Command (MC LCC). By the time you Issues for exploitation p.06 read this, MC LCC will be the role of NRDC-GR. Our Articles training, preparation, experimentation and testing has been • Disinformation in pandemic times p.10 focused on this endeavor and some aspects can be found • Cyber terrorists and the right to be forgotten on the Internet p.17 • Deterrence theories and small nuclear states p.19 in the related articles of this issue. But you will find more • How Ancient Greeks Confronted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder p.22 about the subject in the next one, after the Seminar that will • Joint intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance take place in the upcoming days. in support p.26 •Sustaining half a million soldiers, the new NATO challenge p.29 •Multi-Corp Land Component Command Enjoy the interesting articles we host in this issue and “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” p.34 • “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” The MC LCC challenge p.36 allow us, the Public Affairs Office team to acknowledge • The Importance of Air Ops in Major Land the writers for their contribution. It is more than valuable Centric Operations p.41 • Logistic challenges in Multi Corps Land Operations. and strengthens the goal of PAO to inform NRDC-GR • The NRDC-GR Rear Support Command (RSC) Role p.45 • Contemporary Challenges: Emerging and disruptive Staff, NATO community and the Public about our latest technologies in the south p.48 developments and more. Please, bear in mind that the Affiliated Units views expressed in the articles are those of the contributing • “Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020” p.52 writers and do not represent the official opinion of NRDC- nd • 2 Mountain Brigade - Romania p.56 GR or NATO.

Seminars - Conferences We would like to wish you a happy and prosperous • Final Coordination Conference of Exercise GORDIAN KNOT 2020 p.58 New Year! • NRDC-GR Internship Induction Training p.59 • 16th Plenary Conference p.60 th Hopefully, humanity will win the battle with the • 19 Senior Resources Committee Meeting p.61 • NRDC-GR Cyber Operations seminar p.63 pandemic and we will return back to our normal way of life. Visits - Community Relations • KFOR Commander p.64 • KFOR Chief of Staff p.64 Very respectfully, • Deputy Minister of National Defense p.65 • LANDCOM Commander p.66 • Memorandum of Cooperation between NRDC-GR OF-5 (GRC A) Thomas SYRPAS and International Hellenic University P.67 NRDC-GR Chief Public Affairs Officer ON THE COVER Greek soldier of the NRDC-GR affiliated 71st Airmobile Brigade.

NRDC·GR erald NRDC-GR HERALD THE MAGAZINE OF NATO RAPID DEPLOYABLE CORPS-GREECE

July - December 2020 / Issue 15

The right medium for transmitting specific messages to your target audiences during a crisis situation “GORDIAN KNOT 2020” The MC LCC Challenge

Protection of Civilians and Border Management: Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020 Issues for exploitation

2nd Mountain Brigade - Romania Disinformation in pandemic times