The NATO Defense College conducted its Modular Short Course Partners Integrated (MSC 148-2 PI) on “Strategic Competition and Conflict” from 13 to 17 April, held in parallel with Senior Course 148. The Course offered both Senior Course and Modular Short Course participants an opportunity to exchange valuable perspectives and explore avenues for deeper cooperation in addressing common challenges.
Sixteen senior military officers and civilian representatives from 16 NATO Partner nations took part in this weeklong course designed to deepen their understanding of the Alliance’s strategic environment while promoting dialogue and cooperation among participants.
Through a combination of lectures delivered by subject-matter experts and collaborative committee discussions with Senior Course 148 Course Members, participants of MSC 148-2 analyzed political, military, social, and economic developments in regions of particular significance to the Alliance. These included Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa. By examining the interests of major regional and international players, attendees identified the emerging risks and opportunities currently shaping global stability.
Two dedicated seminars also provided in-depth insights into the strategic postures of Russia and China, delving into their respective geopolitical agendas, foreign policy priorities, and stances toward NATO. Participants examined the direct implications of these strategies on collective defence and the Alliance’s current strategic imperatives.
Overall, this Modular Short Course sharpened the participants’ understanding of complex regional and international dynamics impacting NATO and global security. Providing a forum for engagement between NATO Allied and partner countries, this Course fostered closer cooperation, and bolstered the Alliance’s global ties necessary to navigate an increasingly contested geopolitical environment.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Lisa Schumacher, DEU C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN