Vox Collegii CONTENTS Editorial 2 The Commandant’s Corner 3 A Deep Insight: NATO, Russia, and the Warsaw Summit: The Return of Deterrence by Jeffrey A. Larsen 4 Implementing the Alliance Maritime Strategy in the Mediterranean: NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian by Alessandra Giada Dibenedetto 10 The Libya Intervention of 2011: Why NATO, not the EU? by Antonio Calcara 15 Life at the College 20 Highlights: Our Courses 23 Our Main Guests 27 Our Publications 29 Editor: Proofreading: Jessica Rossi (ITA C) Caroline Curta (FRA C) Peter G. Mead (GBR C) Assistant Editors: Sergio Tagliata (ITA C) Graphic Design & Printing: Giulia Sciancalepore (ITA C) Grafich Communication S.r.l. Francisco J. Marin-Barrena (ESP C) (Fondi -LT-) Photography: NATO websites Allied Defence Forces websites United Nations websites Flickr NDC Reproduction Section The Editorial Vox Collegii Carta, was a success thanks to the effort of intergovernmental decision-making in EU and dedication of all NDC personnel and security and defence policy. Finally, it focuses also to the tireless work put in by the interns on CSDP's main operational and strategic and VEROs, who contributed with massive shortfalls for tackling high-intensity military amounts of enthusiasm. crises. Concerning Vox Collegii, the first article of To conclude, we want to express our this edition is about NATO’s adaptation gratitude to the NDC Commandant MajGen measures in response to Russia’s behaviour Janusz Bojarski, whose mandate at the on the international scene. The author College came to an end in November. On analyses the initiatives taken at the behalf of all NDC staff, a big “thank you” Warsaw Summit in July 2016 to deal with for his leadership over the last three years, the changed security environment. and an enthusiastic welcome to the new Commandant, LtGen Chris Whitecross of the The second article explains NATO’s new Canadian Armed Forces. maritime mission in the Mediterranean, Operation Sea Guardian, outlining its Jessica Rossi ear Reader, genesis and its cooperation with the EU D mission. By including the operation within Last time we went to press, we announced the Alliance’s Maritime Strategy, the article the imminent celebration of the 50th assesses expectations, prospects for success, anniversary of the NDC’s relocation from pending issues and the areas in which the Paris to Rome and the 65th year since its operation will be a test case for the Alliance. foundation, in conjunction with the holding of the 63rd Anciens' Seminar. In the third article, the author investigates the main elements of the Libyan crisis in The event was celebrated on 13th and 14th 2011, and how the EU intervened in the October 2016, in the presence of the Italian areas concerned. The second part of the Head of State and other national dignitaries, article deals with the institutional problems as well as NATO authorities. Moreover, there was a special opportunity to host representatives from the Middle East and North Africa during two high level panels on 14th October, which provided the audience with an interesting overview of the reality and the security issues in the MENA Region. The celebrations marked one of the biggest events in College history. LtCol Alberto Alletto, Head of the Public Affairs Office until October 2016, orchestrated the ceremony: without him, it would have been an almost impossible task to accomplish. Since it was his last big challenge here at the NDC, we wish him the best of luck for his next assignment. The event's planning and execution, led by the Director of Management BGen Salvatore 2 Volume XIV The Commandant’s Corner I was both honoured and humbled to accept the position and responsibilities of Commandant of the NATO Defense College on 29 November 2016. Over the course of my three year term, I very much look forward to working with the College staff, students and Anciens, in addition to the number of significant stakeholders committed to NDC activities. I am committed to the continuing evolution of the quality of our learning programmes, our Research production, and our Outreach initiatives; as we look to the changing NATO environment. Accepting the post of Commandant is also a tremendous opportunity for Canada I am now committed to carry on the superb increase the ability of individual NATO and to re-affirm its commitment to and place work of Major General Bojarski in creating Partner officers (and officials) to productively in the Alliance. Canada has consistently greater unity within the Alliance, and would work together and achieve our common pledged significant contributions to NATO like to extend to him our sincerest wishes for goals. We will embrace diversity, not just in since the founding of the Alliance in 1949. success and happiness in his retirement. thought, but in our working environment. I feel privileged to be entrusted in carrying Diversity strengthens operational success. this legacy of united effort forward into our As did my predecessor, I intend to uphold Likewise, a working environment, founded common future. the tradition of excellence in education on mutual respect and honourable conduct, and professional development for which with a commitment to learning, brings I wish to commence my period of the NATO Defense College is known. In greater cohesion to any military unit, be it command by acknowledging the great a real sense, the Alliance starts here. The one from a single country or one combined accomplishments of my predecessor, College is an institution providing world- under an allied command. Major General Janusz Bojarski, in making class professional education and training, impressive strides in furthering the tradition wherein the connections and networks The NATO Defense College’s commitment of excellence at the NATO Defense College. established between colleagues and friends to learning, coupled with these values, Since his appointment as Commandant will form the underpinning of operational will continue to enable the Alliance to in 2014, he led the College during a time success in future missions. carry out its three core tasks with success: of immense world change and significant collective defence, crisis management, and challenge for NATO, despite which he helped We prepare the Alliance leaders of tomorrow cooperative security. Success not just as a create greater Alliance unity by establishing for the challenges of the emerging strategic venerable institution, but distinguished by numerous initiatives that have improved environment, while at the same time the skills and values of its graduates. If we the College – such as implementing the creating individual bonds which add unity to are to be successful in this, it will only be recommendations of the 2014 NDC Review; the Alliance. In fulfilling our long-standing because we act in unity. I look forward very creating greater scope for e-learning; purpose to “provide an opportunity for much to being a part of this great team and expanding access to civilian university selected Alliance personnel, and individuals in promoting this unity. It is the core of the degree-granting programmes; integrating from partner nations, to learn about NATO, Alliance. the Senior Course and the NATO Regional its policies and concepts, current challenges Cooperation Course; and executing a facing the Alliance, the global strategic Lieutenant-General flawless 65th/50th Anniversary Celebration, environment, and provide an opportunity Chris Whitecross amongst others. Overall, his efforts have to hone English and French language Royal Canadian Air Force truly raised the profile of the College while skills,” I intend to promote accomplishment NDC Commandant at the same time providing higher quality of this through teamwork, upholding a research papers, and creating greater requirement to foster mutual understanding, incentive for academic excellence. and ensuring respect of each other. This will 3 A Deep Insight Vox Collegii NATO, Russia, and the Warsaw Summit: The Return of Deterrence Jeffrey A. Larsen The two years following 2014 were challenging for European security and for NATO. Russia’s behaviour on the international scene changed the nature of the debate about the future of European relations with Moscow. At the same time, a new and dangerous threat known as the Islamic State arose in the deserts south of NATO. This article offers an introductory overview of NATO’s adaptation measures in response to this changed security environment. Several modest initiatives were taken at the Wales Summit in September 2014 to deal with these challenges, but these measures were just a first step. The July 2016 Warsaw Summit agreed to a much tougher set of force goals that reflect a return to thinking about deterrence and making collective defence NATO’s first priority. NATO’s Adaptation to the New Threat Environment The events of 2014 forced NATO to reconsider its 20 years of emphasis on out- of-area expeditionary operations and its focus on the crisis management and cooperative security pillars of the 2010 Strategic Concept, at the expense of the Dr Jeffrey A. Larsen is Director of the core responsibility of collective defence. With the rise of surprising new threats on Research Division at the NATO Defense two flanks, member states realized they would have to reassess the importance College in Rome. His recent publications and centrality of collective defence and deterrence.1 include On Limited Nuclear War in the 21st Century (Stanford University NATO’s initial reaction to the events of 2014 was modest. Russia’s foreign policy Press, 2014) with Kerry Kartchner, and behaviour in Crimea, in Ukraine, and in public statements attacking the Alliance NATO’s Responses to Hybrid Threats came as a shock to most member states. NATO had grown to think of Russia as a (NATO Defense College, 2015), with strategic partner, not an adversary. Obviously, the hoped-for ‘peace dividend’ that Guillaume Lasconjarias. Portions of had been expected to follow the end of NATO’s military mission in Afghanistan, this paper are forthcoming in NATO and scheduled for December 2014, could no longer be expected.