Wednesday 27 June 2012
On 26 and 27 June 2012 the NATO Defense College (NDC) hosted a Workshop on NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture after the Chicago Summit, sponsored by the NDC, the NATO Nuclear Policy Directorate and the US Naval Postgraduate School's Center on Contemporary Conflict.
The purpose of the workshop was to enhance understanding of the decisions incorporated in the Deterrence and Defense Posture Review. Adopted on 20 May 2012 during the NATO Chicago Summit, this Review sets out to clarify, reinforce and carry forward the Alliance's decisions regarding its deterrence and defense posture.
Proceedings at the workshop started with a keynote address on "NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture", delivered by Bradley H. Roberts, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy. This set the scene for an intense schedule of presentations and discussions, consisting of seven panels entitled as follows: "Chicago Summit Decisions: Achievements and Implementation Prospects"; "Implications for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation"; "Threat Assessment and Warning Issues"; "Prospects for Nuclear, Conventional, and Missile Defense Capabilities"; "Cross-Cutting Issues"; "Strategic Communication” and "Strategic Stability".
The workshop was attended by 74 distinguished civilian professionals and military officers of significant experience at the highest level, such as Ambassador Philippe ERRERA (FRA), Permanent Representative of France to NATO, Ambassador Gabór IKLÓDY (HUN), Assistant NATO Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, and Ambassador Carlo TREZZA (ITA), a Member of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.
During this thought-provoking workshop participants had a unique opportunity to discuss highly relevant issues, and to gain a deeper understanding of NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture Review. An end-of-conference report will be prepared and published as a NATO Defense College Research Paper.
