New RD Publication: NATO at 70: what defence policy and planning priorities?

• NDC Policy Brief 23-19: NATO at 70: what defence policy and planning priorities?, by Patrick Turner*.

NATO at 70 shows no sign of slowing down. Indeed,
the last few years have been marked by a growth in the
challenges to which we must respond, and a high tempo
of decisions and adaptation. NATO’s ability to adapt
to the changing security environment has always been a
core strength – but this ability has been and will continue
to be put to the test.

In the last five years, since Russia’s illegal annexation
of Crimea and intervention in Eastern Ukraine in 2014,
NATO has been going back to basics. Its core purpose
of defending Allies has come back to the fore. But not to
the exclusion of other tasks and priorities such as: NATO’s
operations and missions, for example in Afghanistan,
Kosovo and Iraq; our broader contributions to the
international fight against terrorism; or our work to build
partner capacity.

This Policy Brief focuses on NATO’s efforts to strengthen
its defence posture. The NATO shorthand for our
efforts to improve our collective defence is deterrence,
defence and dialogue (the “three Ds”). These are underpinned
by responsiveness, readiness and reinforcement
(the “three Rs”), as well as strengthened national
resilience to attack. More investment and commitment
by non-US Allies in line with the Defence Investment
Pledge agreed at the NATO Summit in Wales in 2014,
the shorthand for which is cash, capabilities and contributions
(the “three Cs”), provides the crucial enablers
for the three Ds and the three Rs.

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