On Monday 10 June 2013, Senior Course 122 (SC 122) began its Regional Approaches Field Study. This is an important complement to the academic curriculum of the Senior Course, allowing Course Members to develop a strategic appreciation of major political, economic and security issues as seen from the national perspective of selected regional countries. The Field Study also provides them with direct knowledge of the ways in which policies contribute to and/or affect Euro-Atlantic security: over the next two weeks, after an initial one-day session dedicated to Italy, SC122 will have a busy schedule of institutional visits and briefings in Poland, Russia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania.
The initial day, focusing on the security perspectives and priorities of Italy, was kindly hosted by the Centre for Strategic Defence Studies (CASD) in Rome. Here, the group was warmly welcomed by CASD President Vice Admiral Ronaldo Veri. An extensive briefing on the CASD’s mission and organization was then given by Capt Luigi Marzullo (ITA A).
Italian security and defence policy was presented by three distinguished speakers, who covered the topic in great detail for Course Members.
The first briefing, on political-military security policy, was given by Counsellor Fabrizio Colaceci (ITA C) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Focusing mainly on the geopolitical dimension, the speaker offered a clear, comprehensive overview of Italian policy in reinforcing relations and cooperation with the UN, EU and NATO, as well as in creating new relationships with non-allied countries.
The second lecture was delivered by Colonel Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), Director of the Middle East Faculty at the NDC. Particular attention was given to the problems of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and smuggling of migrants, as well as to the agreements between Italy and Libya on these and related questions.
Major General Salvatore Farina (ITA A), Chief of the 3rd Department Military Policy and Planning, Italian Defence General Staff, then briefed Course Members on Italian defence policy, covering the main commitments of the Italian Armed Forces and the most important security challenges related to Italy’s key geostrategic role.
During the lengthy Q&A period which followed the lectures, Course Members asked a number of challenging questions, mainly focused on NATO-EU security cooperation, capability development in the current period of austerity and the responsibilities related to Italy’s geostrategic position.
Following this excellent opening session on Italy, the Regional Approaches Field Study will now take Course Members to Poland (Warsaw).
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