Senior Course (SC) 118 continued their European Security Perspectives & Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) Field Study with a visit to London, England. They were welcomed by Mr. Steve McCARTHY, Director of International Security Policy (DISP) at the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD), who outlined salient aspects of the United Kingdom’s security policy. One point he emphasized, to underline the importance of across-the-board consensus in setting down national security policy, was that the United Kingdom currently has its first ever peacetime coalition government.
Mr McCARTHY was followed by Dr Richard HUTTON, Head of Strategic Development at the MoD, who spoke of National Security Strategy (NSS), highlighting the specific tasks involved and the main risks to be addressed.
The next speaker, Mrs Alison STEVENSON, Head of NATO and European Policy at the MoD, illustrated the UK’s views on NATO-EU relations, current NATO and EU operations, capability development in both organizations, relations between them and the need for transformation. She spoke about the importance of correct planning and management of operations, problems associated with political agreements and their impact on current and future operations, and the need for timely access to proper resources and capabilities.
Mr Rurik MARSDEN, Group Head of Conflict Prevention and National Security at the Department for International Development (DFID), explained the nature of the organization he heads and listed its main tasks as well as the impact of the Strategic Security Review on DFID activities.
During the subsequent discussion period, the panel was completed by Wing Commander Peter CRACROFT, Afghanistan Operations-Operation Directorate, and Group Captain James LINTER, Assistant Head, Counter Terrorism & Global Commitments Operations-Operation Directorate, who complemented the speakers’ perspectives with in-depth explanations of a number of issues. The panel’s answers helped CMs gain a better understanding of the UK’s views on security and provided a perfect ending to a highly informative visit.
More about the Field Study:
NATO Defense College