On 19 July 2012 the NATO Defense College (NDC) had the honour of hosting General James N. MATTIS, USMC, Commander US CENTCOM, who delivered the prestigious “Eisenhower Lecture” to NDC Faculty and Staff, Senior Course (SC) 120 and guests. The topic of the lecture was “Coalition Warfare”.
After receiving a warm welcome from the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Arne Bård DALHAUG, General MATTIS participated in a round table with the Senior Leadership of the NDC to discuss the College’s courses and related activities.
Our distinguished guest then delivered an insightful and extremely pertinent lecture, providing an aptly stimulating conclusion to the academic curriculum of SC 120. This was followed by a very lively Q&A session, during which Course Members had the opportunity to engage in active debate and discussion with General MATTIS.
In concluding the session, Lieutenant General DALHAUG took great pleasure in thanking General MATTIS for his valued services to NATO and support of the NDC. In recognition of so significant a contribution, the Commandant chose this special moment to name General MATTIS an Honorary Ancien of the College, with an open invitation to return often as a most welcome guest.
The Eisenhower Lecture was instituted to commemorate General Dwight D. EISENHOWER, the founder of the NDC. It is one of the pivotal lectures in the College curriculum, providing in-depth practical insight into the current security environment and global challenges.
This year’s edition maintains the tradition of distinguished speakers, the most recent having been: H.E. Mr Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN, NATO Secretary General; General Sir Richard SHIRREFF, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR); General Stéphane ABRIAL, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT); Mr Robert E. HUNTER, former US Ambassador to NATO and former US Representative to the Western European Union; and H.E. Ambassador Pascale Andreani, French Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Council.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Iliana Panayotova, BGR C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
