The Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course 2009-1 (GFOAC) took place in Rome from 4 to 8 May 2009. A total of 48 ambassadors, generals, admirals, civilians and diplomats from 31 NATO, PfP, Mediterranean Dialogue, ICI and partner countries, as well as from Iraq, attended the Course, which was held under the overall theme of “NATO after Strasbourg-Kehl ”.
In his opening remarks on Monday morning, the Commandant of the NATO Defense College, Lt General Loeser, welcomed participants and highlighted the Course objectives and the opportunities that it offers.
The opening lecture, which set the scene for the rest of the week, was given by the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Mr Martin Howard. His focus was “NATO and the Changing Nature of Conflict”. He described in detail the changes that have been taking place in the security environment and the need for the Alliance to adapt in order to achieve its objectives. He updated the audience on recent developments, particularly the recent Summit in France and Germany. He also provided updated information on the ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
The topic of the afternoon lecture was “The Transatlantic Link – Cornerstone of the Alliance”. Ambassador Mark GELEYN, from Belgium, and Mr Stan SLOAN, from the US, explored the recent developments in transatlantic cooperation. They also briefed the audience on the possible future challenges for the Alliance. Each came to the same conclusion: the Transatlantic Link is indispensable for both sides of the Atlantic.
On Tuesday 5 May the topic of the morning of the second day, “Security and Stability in the Mediterranean Area”, was presented by Prof. Mustapha BENCHENANE, from France, and Dr Alberto BIN, from NATO HQ. Both speakers made it very clear that security in the Mediterranean is closely related to the security of Europe, and underlined the need to continue and to improve cooperation with the countries in the region.
On the afternoon of the same day, Dr Chris Schnaubelt, a research fellow at the NDC, gave a comprehensive presentation on “Strategic Challenges of Current NATO Operations”. He focused mainly on the challenges encountered in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, but also discussed the current and possible future implications of NATO operations.
Dr Roy STAFFORD, from the US, and Prof. Ilan GREILSAMMER, from Israel, highlighted the threat of international terrorism in the new security environment. They also discussed the root causes, the characteristics and the motivations of terrorism and the role that NATO could play in the fight against terrorism.
The lecture on Thursday’s agenda, “The NATO-Russia Relationship”, was given by Dr Victor KREMENYUK, from Russia. He stressed that in the last two decades NATO-Russia relations have always been unstable. The recent crises, therefore, should not be blown up out of proportion. He also talked about the areas of possible cooperation where the two sides have mutual interests.
The final topic of the week was “NATO after Strasbourg-Kehl”. Dr Karl Heinz KAMP, Director Research Division at NDC, gave an excellent exposé of the various challenges facing the Alliance in a post-Strasbourg Kehl perspective, setting the scene for a most interesting and comprehensive Q&A session to conclude the Course.
In his closing remarks, Course Director Rear Admiral Estellon underlined the highlights of the lectures. He thanked participants for their active contribution and participation and asked them to spread the message about the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course, and about the College in general, in their capitals.
Prepared by Counselor Mustafa KAPUCU (TUR CIV)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN