On 14 June 2013, in collaboration with NATO’s International Military Staff, the NATO Defense College hosted an experts’ roundtable entitled “Political and Military Cooperation or NATO-Russian Roulette: Proactive Management of a Difficult Relationship”.
Bringing together experts from the US, Europe, the Caucasus and Russia with high-ranking specialists from NATO HQ, the roundtable focused on possible strategies for relations with Russia, from both a political and a military perspective.
The first panel, entitled “A Drop in Political Temperature”, discussed the radical changes in attitudes to Russia in Western capitals. In Washington, there no longer seems to be a dominant perception of Russian reluctance to cooperate. On the other hand, Germany has moved from its former position as an unquestioningly faithful partner, having distanced itself in recent years from the erratic and increasingly undemocratic positions adopted by the Russian leadership.
A second panel focused on “NATO-Russia Military Cooperation: High Potential or Constant Headache?”, identifying the prospective value of military cooperation as a stabilizing force for enhancing political dialogue. In the third panel, “The Way Ahead”, the group engaged in a brainstorming session on potential areas for future cooperation with Russia, such as: missile defence, Afghanistan, anti-piracy and security in the High North.
NDC Public Affairs Office
NATO Defense College