{"id":14369,"date":"2026-05-08T14:17:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T13:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/?p=14369"},"modified":"2026-05-11T15:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T14:29:10","slug":"gfoac-2026-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/gfoac-2026-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The NDC Concludes Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors\u2019 Course 2026-1"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May 2026, the NATO Defense College (NDC) conducted the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors\u2019 Course (GFOAC). This high-level Course hosted 73 participants from Allies, the Mediterranean Dialogue and other selected partners across the globe. The Course is designed to enhance the participants\u2019 understanding of current politico-military issues affecting the Alliance, while fostering mutual understanding and promoting networking among participants.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\tDirector General of NATO\u2019s International Military Staff LGEN Remigijus Baltr\u0117nas delivering his keynote address during GFOAC 2026-1<\/p>

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GFOAC 2026-1 panel consisting of (left to right): NDC Faculty Advisor Ms Emma Knight, Dr Andrew Monaghan (GBR), MGEN Volodymyr Horbatiuk (UKR), Mr Michael Kofman (USA) and LGEN Curtis Buzzard (USA). <\/p>

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LGEN Curtis Buzzard delivering his keynote address during GFOAC 2026-1.<\/p>

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GFOAC 2026-1 Course Participants engaging in committee discussions.<\/p>

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Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Aurelio Colagrande, delivering his keynote address during GFOAC 2026-1.<\/p>

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GFOAC 2026-1 Course Participants listening to the lectures.<\/p>

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Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Aurelio Colagrande, delivering his keynote address during GFOAC 2026-1.<\/p>

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GFOAC 2026-1 Course Participant asking a question.<\/p>

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GFOAC 2026-1 Course Participants engaging in committee discussions.<\/p>

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Office Call between NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Aurelio Colagrande.<\/p>

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NDC Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen receiving the Director General of NATO\u2019s International Military Staff LGEN Remigijus Baltr\u0117nas at the NATO Defense College.<\/p>

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Throughout the week, the demanding programme featured keynote speeches, lectures and panel discussions with subject-matter experts. It followed a three-phase format, beginning with the introduction of topics through lectures or guided questions in moderated sessions, continuing with in-depth exploration through question-and-answer exchanges with speakers, and concluding with committee discussions among participants, consolidating the main themes of the day.<\/p>\n\n

The five-day Course was structured around a series of thematic discussions, opening with two panels on NATO\u2019s most pressing challenges: Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine, and the Alliance\u2019s current deterrence and defence posture. These discussions were reinforced by a keynote address on NATO activities in support of Ukraine, delivered by Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard, Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine command, who set the tone for the Course\u2019s strategic focus:<\/p>\n\n

\u201cUkraine\u2019s resilience in the face of Russia\u2019s aggression is extraordinary, and it carries a message for every Ally and partner: we must learn from this war as fast as Ukraine is fighting it. Ukraine is offering us unprecedented insight into modern, multi-domain conflict \u2013 from industrial\u2011scale warfare to unmanned systems, electronic warfare and societal resilience. As I noted in my remarks,\u00a0\u2018Ukraine is not only fighting for its own survival. It is showing us the future of warfare.\u2019\u00a0Their adaptability and will to endure should drive our own. NATO\u2019s support remains essential, not only to help Ukraine defend itself, but to ensure the Alliance evolves with the character of modern conflict. This is a moment for collective learning, collective action, and collective resolve \u2013 because Ukraine\u2019s fight is shaping the security of the entire Euro\u2011Atlantic area.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

After examining the transatlantic link and China as a strategic competitor, the programme moved on to the multifaceted challenges in the High North and the Southern Neighbourhood. Participants explored the growing impact of hybrid threats and cognitive warfare on the Alliance\u2019s security landscape, as well as the evolving nature of NATO\u2019s partnerships and their continued importance as a cornerstone of collective security.<\/p>\n\n

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Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Aurelio Colagrande delivered a keynote address on the work of Allied Command Transformation. Subsequent lectures and discussions addressed rapid battlefield-driven technological change and the growing importance of societal resilience across the Alliance. General Colagrande emphasized: \u201cIn this environment, the Alliance\u2019s credibility rests not only on what we have in our militaries today, but on how quickly we can learn, adjust and adapt. That is why this particular audience really matters to us. Generals and Flag Officers turn intent into readiness. Ambassadors sustain political cohesion and the long-term commitment that readiness requires\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

The Director General of the Military Staff (DGIMS), Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltr\u0117nas, delivered the final keynote address of the Course. GFOAC 2026-1 concluded with a session on NATO\u2019s relationship with the defence industry, underlining the importance of innovation and cooperation in delivering the capabilities required in a rapidly evolving security environment. In his address, DGIMS highlighted: \u201cNATO\u2019s partnerships will remain one of the Alliance\u2019s greatest strategic advantages in the years ahead. Through structured partnerships with non-member states and international organisations, NATO strengthens stability, builds resilience, and enhances collective security<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

\u201cNATO\u2019s strength\u00a0ultimately rests\u00a0on the cohesion and trust that\u00a0bind\u00a0Allies and partners together. I hope this week has contributed,\u00a0however modestly,\u00a0to reinforcing those bonds.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen. Overall, GFOAC 2026-1 offered participants a unique opportunity for high-level dialogue among NATO and partner nations. Conducted under the Chatham House Rule, the Course facilitated open and candid exchanges on how NATO needs to adapt and evolve in response to the current security environment.<\/p>\n\n

NDC Public Affairs Office<\/p>\n\n

(Prepared by Ms Britt Melinga, NLD C)<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Monday 4 May to Friday 8 May 2026, the NATO Defense College (NDC) conducted the Generals, 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