On 26 September 2022, the NATO Defense College (NDC) hosted the first day of Field Study 1 for Senior Course 141, devoted to Italy. Course Members were addressed by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Italian Chief of Defence, and they were briefed by several speakers from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, was received in the morning by Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, Commandant of the NATO Defense College. The Italian Chief of Defence signed the Guest Book, and then took part in an office call with the NDC Commandant.
The NDC Commandant welcomed Course Members to their first Field Study, focused on European Security Perspectives, stressing the importance of this program as “an integral part of the Senior Course” that constitutes an opportunity to learn more about “each country’s national security interests through insightful briefings and discussions with senior leaders in government, the military and, occasionally, from industry”.
Admiral Cavo Dragone then gave a speech during which he highlighted the challenges facing the Alliance in now and in the future. He paid tribute to the commitment of the Italian Armed Forces, “who intend to defend the national and shared interest, operating within an international Alliance and through an integrative model in synergy with the country system”. He encouraged the Senior Course 141 to stay “motivated, skilled and open minded.” He underlined the role of the NDC as a “key component, as well as one of the most prestigious and appreciated colleges in the world in the field of military and strategic studies”.
The address was followed by a Q&A session.
The first lecture of the day focused on “elements and the strategic perspective of the Italian defense policy” and presented by Rear Admiral Gianfranco Annunziata, Italian Defense General Staff. A lecture on “National Commitments in the actual strategic context” was then presented by Major General Achille Cazzaniga, from the Italian Joint Operations Headquarters.
Plenipotentiary Minister Alessandro Cattaneo, from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a presentation on ”NATO: current adaptation and Italian priorities”. Dr Arturo Varriale, 1? Dirigente (OF-5 Italian Police) from the Italian Ministry of Interior, gave the last presentation on “challenges of contemporary terrorism: the Italian experience”.
Closing remarks and a gifts exchange were made by Committee 6 at the end of each Q&A session for each guest.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Mr David Lucio Rossi, ITA C)
NATO Defense College