On Tuesday 30th October Senior Course 121 (SC 121) spent a very full day in Brussels, with visits to NATO HQ in the morning and the European Union (EU) in the afternoon.
Course Members and accompanying NATO Defense College (NDC) staff were welcomed by the Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC), General Knud Bartels (DNK A), who briefed the group on a number of major operations: Afghanistan, Kosovo, Operation Ocean Shield and Operation Active Endeavour. He also spoke on the subject of Alliance capabilities for 2020 and beyond, focusing on Smart Defence and the need to build full-spectrum capabilities.
The group was then addressed by Ambassador Gábor Iklódy (HUN C), NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges. This presentation was mostly dedicated to the subjects of Afghanistan, Interoperability, Crisis Management and partnerships, but the speaker also commented on Pacific challenges, the importance of solidarity in the Alliance, and the need to further enhance its political dimension.
Mr Ian Stallion (GBR C) of the Nuclear Policy Directorate and MGen Neeme Väli (EST A), Director of the International Military Staff (IMS) Plans and Policy Division, then gave substantial input on a range of further topics such as the 2012 Deterrence and Defence Posture Review and the NATO reform process.
The final briefing at NATO HQ was given by Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow (USA C), who enlarged on a number of issues examined in his recent address to the NDC Anciens’ Seminar. One such subject was the Missile Defence Initiative.
Each of the briefings at NATO HQ was followed by a lively Q&A session, giving Course Members ample opportunity for a very open exchange with the various speakers.
Course Members then had an opportunity to talk with national representatives over lunch, after which the group moved to the headquarters of the EU.
The opening remarks and first briefing came from RADM Bruce Williams (GBR N), Deputy Director General EU Military Staff, who addressed the subject of EU Operations in a Wicked World. He primarily focused on adaptation to the Comprehensive Approach. BGen Walter Huhn (DEU F) then spoke on Common Security and Defence Policy issues, concentrating mainly on the Crisis Management Framework.
Concluding speaker of the day was Mr Rolf Landgren (SWE C), a senior policy advisor within the EU, who addressed the group on the EU’s ongoing civilian CSDP missions.
Read more about the visit to the NATO HQ at the NATO web site: NATO HQ article about the visit.
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