Last Friday, the College welcomed US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Tom Shannon, who spoke on the significance of NATO and the Transatlantic Link during a Lecture of Opportunity. The Ambassador also underlined the importance of NATO’s continued commitment to regional and global affairs and the key role of Italy as host Nation to the NDC.
Ambassador Shannon has worked in the United States Foreign Service since 1984 and has served in embassies around the world. He was Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and United States Ambassador to Brazil. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Counselor of the United States Department of State and was also acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs for a period in 2011.
He addressed Senior Course 130 and MSC 130-3, together with NDC Faculty and Staff, after which an interesting question and answer session gave participants the opportunity to pursue a constructive and stimulating discussion on several topics covered during the presentation.
The day continued with the lectures on NATO Defence Planning delivered by Mr Andrew Cullen (GBR) and Prof Alexander Mattelaer (BEL).
The day ended with another interesting Lecture of opportunity from Ambassador Sorin Ducaru. The Ambassador explained the role and functions of the Emerging and Security Challengers Division, created after the Lisbon Summit of 2004, and highlighted the top priorities on the agenda: nuclear policy, cyber and energy security and counter-terrorism.
The Ambassador also touched upon the issues of resources, resilience, migration, enlargement and partnership.
Ambassador Ducaru took over the position of Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges in September 2013. Prior to his appointment as ASG, he served as Romania’s Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council, and from November 2011 was Dean of the North Atlantic Council.
NDC Public Affairs Office
NATO Defense College