The NATO Defense College (NDC) hosted its 55th Academic Advisory Board (AAB) meeting on 4 and 5 December 2025, chaired by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee. Held annually, the AAB brings together senior representatives from NATO Headquarters, Allied Commands and external experts across the military, academic and diplomatic fields to review the College’s direction and provide strategic guidance to the Commandant on its future course. The Board’s role is to ensure the NDC’s educational, research and engagement activities remain aligned with NATO’s strategic objectives.
Over two days, the Board reviewed progress across the College’s programmes, including the new Academic Curriculum. This updated curriculum reinforces strategic-level education to prepare future leaders for complex political-military environments. It also strengthens transatlantic cohesion and further integrates Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) expertise into the programme. In addition, the Board examined ongoing research projects and reviewed engagement initiatives.
Discussions focused on how the NDC can best support NATO’s core tasks in the years ahead. The Commandant outlined current initiatives at the College and offered his assessment of the NDC’s strategic direction. Board members offered targeted recommendations to advance the College’s mission across its three pillars: education, research and engagement.
Admiral Cavo Dragone also addressed the members of Senior Course 147, offering an overview of the current challenges facing the Alliance, NATO’s military priorities, most notably its steadfast support to Ukraine, and the key role played by global partners. Additionally, he underscored the essential role of the NATO Defense College for the future of the Alliance, emphasizing the need for investment in education, research and engagement.
In addition to Admiral Cavo Dragone, Chair of the AAB, the 55th Academic Advisory Board included Mr Nick Catsaras, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning; Major General Mark Pullan, Director of the Operations and Planning Division at the NATO International Military Staff; Vice Admiral Simon Asquith, Chief of Staff at NATO’s Allied Command Transformation; Brigadier General Jan Kerdik, Assistant Chief of Staff J7 at SHAPE (acting on behalf of Major General Mirosław Polakow, Deputy Chief of Staff Plans, SHAPE); Dr Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS); Dr Benedikt Franke, CEO Munich Conference; Professor Robert Egnell, Vice Chancellor of the Swedish Defence University; Dr Alessandro Marrone, Head of Defence, Security and Space Programme at the IAI; and Mr Steen Soendergaard, NATO Chief Scientist, as an observer.
The meeting concluded with a positive review from the Board and strong support for the College’s future. The 55th AAB reaffirmed the NDC’s essential contribution to NATO’s long-term strategic objectives and to preparing its leaders for future challenges.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Irene Rodríguez Fernández, ESP C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN