The academic programme for Senior Course 114 began on Monday, 2 March 2009 with Module A: “Security Policy and Strategic Overview”. Under this general heading, the first Study Period on “Concepts and Theory” was held from 2 to 6 March 2009. Its aim was to review the fundamental processes and conceptual issues underlying the 21st century security environment.
The Study Period covered five topics : “The International System and Schools of Thought”, “Strategic Thinking”, “Changing Nature of Conflict”, “Globalization” and “Legal Framework and Norms”.
The Monday lecture on “The International System and Schools of Thought” was delivered by Ambassador Dr Fred TANNER from Switzerland, Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Dr Tanner touched upon theory, history and the current state of the international system. He explained why, for an audience of future military leaders and political advisors such as the Senior Course, it was important to understand the structure and dynamics of the international system. He also discussed concepts such as sovereignty and interdependence and the impact on them of the phenomenon of globalization.
“Strategic Thinking”, the second topic on the agenda, was presented on Wednesday by Professor Christopher COKER, Head of the International Relations Department at the London School of Economics. In his overview of the evolution of strategic thought he discussed theories of well-known strategic thinkers, such as Thucydides and Clausewitz. He provided his audience with an impressive insight into current theoretical and conceptual discussions on strategy, referring, where appropriate, to real-world political and military issues. He emphasized the importance of setting modest goals, and warned of the side effects, or “cascading effects”, of military actions and their wider implications. Moreover, he pointed out that “wicked” versus “tame” problems in international relations require appropriate strategic thinking and analysis. He discussed war in terms of risk management rather than victory.
On Wednesday, 4 March, Dr Thomas X. HAMMES (USA), an internationally acknowledged expert in military history and strategy, delivered the lecture on “The Changing Nature of Conflict”. His presentation analyzed the development of warfare from Napoleonic times to the 20 th and 21 st centuries. He offered a lively picture of today’s and tomorrow’s fourth and fifth generation warfare, including the current and future low tech and high tech elements which make up a hybrid war scenario. He underlined the continuing relevance of technology and information in past and present day warfare, and he questioned all convictions that today’s world is more complex than before. Moreover he elaborated on strategic theories from a historical point of view and discussed the role and function of the future military leader.
On Thursday, 5 March, Dr Mikkel RASMUSSEN (DNK), Head of the Danish Institute for Military Studies, gave an overview on “Globalization” and its impact on national states and international organizations. He analyzed in depth the relevance of globalization for economies, demography and migration, social development and the urbanization of the world. Moreover, he provided an outlook on how globalization affects international security and influences national and international decision makers.
On Friday, 6 March, Professor Dr Philippe MOREAU-DEFARGES (FRA), Institute of Political Studies, Paris, delivered a high level lecture on “Legal Frameworks and Norms” covering the status and the development of international law. In his broad and profound analysis of intricate issues such as human intervention and the development of the right of self defence issue, Professor MOREAU-DEFARGES also offered his academic view on the current situation and the future development of International Court institutions and the UN Security Council. His lecture was also very well received and stimulated a lively discussion.
Overall, for the 92 Senior Course Members from 39 countries, including IRAQ, UKRAINE, GEORGIA and – for the first time – REPUBLIC of KOREA and BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, the first academic week of Senior Course 114 was extremely inspiring and rewarding: five days of top level lectures by highly reputed speakers followed by intensive question and answer periods and intensive Committee work.
Prepared by Col Gerhard Bahr (DEU F)
NATO Defense College