On 20 and 21 May, a panel of six experts of different nationalities, together with the Course Members of Senior Course 136 of the NATO Defense College (NDC), discussed the Middle East and Middle East-related challenges and opportunities.
Dr Pierre Razoux (FRA), Dr Nicola Pedde (ITA), Dr Emma Sky (GBR), Dr Mitchell Belfer (CAN/CZE), Prof. Ilan Greilsammer (ISR) and Dr Alaa TARTIR (PSE) lectured on the geopolitical issues of the region, including on Iran, Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as on terrorism and counter-terrorism and the Arab Gulf Countries. An extended Question and Answer session gave everyone the possibility of debating crucial and sensitive issues in accordance with the usual, positive, educational approach used at the NDC.
On the second day, as usual for this kind of seminar, Course Members were split into working groups, to discuss specific topics about the Middle East (terrorism, conflicts in the area, Iran, Israel, opportunities…), in greater detail, with the precious support and guidance of the six mentors.
This key event of the Senior Course took place, as all other parts of the curriculum of Senior Course 136, on the NDC e-learning platform, with discussions, lectures and Question and Answer sessions carried out virtually. The Middle East Seminar was prepared and moderated by NDC Faculty Adviser Nancy Vellone (ITA).
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Nancy Vellone, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN