NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC)
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NRCC
The NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) serves as NATO’s primary educational initiative aimed at strengthening relationships with Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) countries, along with other partners from the broader Middle East. This strategic-level Course runs biannually and spans 10 weeks. It was established following the 2006 Riga Summit, where Alliance leaders committed to enhancing dialogue and cooperation through education. The first two weeks of the Course are shared with the Senior Course, while the remaining eight weeks focus on unique content, assisted by dedicated Faculty Advisors – many of whom hold PhDs and possess extensive expertise in the Maghreb, Mashreq and Gulf regions.

Aim
The NRCC’s primary goal is to serve as a platform for addressing critical issues that connect NATO with MD and ICI nations. By fostering dialogue, analysis and collaboration, the Course aims to enhance mutual understanding, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and promote networking among participants. This collaborative environment is designed to strengthen trust, build closer ties and advance cooperation between NATO and its partners in tackling shared security challenges within the broader Middle East.
What the NRCC does
Through strategic political-military analysis, the NRCC examines security challenges that impact both the region and NATO. It aims to establish a link between key regional concerns and international priorities, providing an in-depth study of these issues from multiple perspectives, including those of MD and ICI nations, NATO members and selected global partners. The NRCC is divided into modules addressing topics such as regional and cooperative security, and approaching the subject matters through daily lectures, group discussions and seminars, as well as two Field Studies.
Who can attend
The Course is open to officers with the rank of Brigadier General, Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, as well as civilian officials and diplomats of equivalent rank from relevant government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies involved in strategic security matters.