SC 123 Transatlantic Link Field Study: Washington DC

On Friday 8 November, Senior Course 123 visted the Pentagon in the morning and Capitol Hill in the afternoon.

The delegation was welcomed to the Pentagon by LtGen Terry Wolff, Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) at the Pentagon, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the world security environment, underlining the importance of natural resources. In this overall context, the US’ relationship with Europe and attention to the Asia-Pacific region both continue to be vital factors in world security. With regard to NATO, the presentation touched on some of the Alliance’s main current priorities – the transfer of responsibility in Afghanistan to the Afghan National Security Forces, the prevention of possible cyber attacks, and the Middle East. In the ensuing Q&A session, the General gave detailed and candid answers to the many searching questions asked by Course Members.

Mr Joe Collins, NATO Policy Director (International Affairs Security) at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, gave a strategic overview of NATO. He highlighted interoperability and readiness to intervene as major factors in Alliance operations. Coalitions and partnerships continue to play a fundamental role, but NATO is facing many important and difficult challenges – in particular, burden sharing.

BrigGen Kenneth D. Lewis, Director of Air Force Reserve Plans, Programs and Requirements, briefed the Course about the field of Building Partner Capacity (BPC). He stressed that NATO exists to create stability around the world, and that building partnerships is an essential task in this respect. He illustrated the 2010 Guidance for the Employment of Force, underlining the non-viability of “going it alone” as a nation: the main goal of BPC is to assist partners in developing effective and legitimate security institutions, within a complex and interwoven system which involves multiple lines of effort to optimize security in an uncertain world. A lively Q&A period followed.

After the Pentagon briefings, the NDC delegation visited Capitol Hill, where it was welcomed by Mr Matthew Wasniewski, House of Representatives Historian. He provided a comprehensive historical overview of the US Congress and the relations between its two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. This helped participants acquire a greater understanding of the US legislature, providing a useful basis for the ensuing discussions.

Ms Jen Stewart, National Security Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, addressed the Course on the importance of the transatlantic link and the key role of NATO. She also highlighted that the ongoing US pivot towards the Asia-Pacific region must be accompanied by continuing support for security in the Middle East.

Col Richard “Otter” Bew, Office of Legislative Affairs, US Marine Corps, described the structure and activities of the Office, which deals chiefly with difficult issues connected to legislation. Its main task is to work in close collaboration with Congress in this area, obtaining expert advice so as to ensure an appropriate knowledge base for all discussions and decisions.

The afternoon’s briefings were followed by a lively and stimulating Q&A session.

NDC Public Affairs Office