The seventh stop on the highly challenging academic NDC Field Study for Senior Course (SC) 114 was London. Due to changes to aircraft NDC arrived in three groups, but the dedicated Protocol and Project Officer – Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Anthony Chibnall, managed to co-ordinate all the changes very well.
Mrs Gloria Craig, Director International Security Policy, welcomed and addressed SC 114 in the marvellous Army and Navy Club in London. The opening words neatly summarized the key points of British Security and Defence policy and set the scene well for the subsequent speakers. It was particularly interesting that the new Strategic Concept was articulated in the public domain as a way of engaging the people, and that the military is well supported by the public. The intention to pursue an active Foreign policy was also noted by the SC.
Commodore Best provided a succinct history of the development of British policy; a talk laced with important factors, each a full discussion in itself.
Mr Andrew Mathewson, Head of NATO and European Policy Division, was very clear, and provided valuable ideas concerning integration and co-operation between NATO and EU, balanced with an equally forthright and frank discussion concerning the need to set achievable levels of ambition.
The brief on British Foreign Policy and European Security by Mr Nick Pickard, Head of the Security Policy Group in Foreign and Commonwealth Office was excellent. He pointed out that the enlargement of NATO and EU has been very successful, and that nations do not loose sovereignty to the organizations, but gain sovereignty in areas like Energy security, Proliferation, Terrorism etc since we are stronger together.
The Q&A organized as an open forum was excellent, and allowed us to probe a little deeper into selected questions from our Course Members. The open and honest way in which the panel, strengthened with Mr Peter Watkins, Director Operational Policy, and Brig Chip Chapman, Head of Counter Terrorism and UK Operations in the Operations Directorate, handled the questions well and made a great impression on the NATO and non NATO audience from NDC.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) brought in Sir Hilary Synnott KCMG and Colonel Christopher Langton (ret’d) OBE to update the SC on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Colonel Christopher provided a fascinating overview of Afghanistan, discussed the social and economic indicators of improvement and the difficulties and challenges which fall from intelligent analysis. The critical requirement of sustaining good governance, when NATO forces have withdrawn, was well made. Sir Hilary, provided an equally fascinating overview of Pakistan within a regional context, but also a brilliant discussion concerning the tribal culture of Honour, Homeland and Obligation. His fundamental analysis of the drivers behind behaviours was expert, entertaining and essential to any real understanding of the problem. Overall, both delivered two outstanding lectures, and it was great value to have a Q&A session where Course Members could further probe some key elements of the presentations.
The Rt Hon Baroness Taylor MP, Minister for International Defence and Security, hosted and addressed the SC at the Government reception at Lancaster House; outlining the challenges NATO has faced, and will face, in the future: Terrorism, Cyber attacks and Piracy to name but a few. She also mentioned NATO’s success in meeting such challenges through its ability to understand and respond, and the SC was very encouraged by her kind words emphasizing the part that the NDC has to play in this.
The NDC does, indeed, play an important and special role in outreach, and in equipping Course Members to adapt intellectually and conceptually to the future Security challenges for NATO and its constituent nations.
Our time in London was a great success and gave us exactly what NDC needed for the CMs’ understanding of the British Security and Defence Policy.
Prepared by Captain Harald Hakonsen, NOR N
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN