From 8 to 11 September, the NATO Defense College (NDC) and the NATO-ICI Regional Centre (NIRC) in Kuwait City successfully held the Modular Short Course “GULF” – NATO Yesterday and Today. This course brought together 24 senior military and civilian officials from Gulf partner countries to enhance their knowledge of the Alliance and build lasting professional connections. This initiative reflects the NDC and the NIRC’s shared commitment to strengthening institutional ties and deepening their cooperation through education.
Gathering participants from Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat, the “GULF” course was conducted in a hybrid format with lectures live-streamed from the NDC in Rome, followed by interactive, on-site group discussions in Kuwait. This approach stimulated exchange of knowledge and peer-to-peer engagement, while allowing participants to explore NATO’s history and its evolving role in global security.
Embedded into the curriculum of the Senior Course (SC) 147 and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) 34, the Modular Short Course provided participants with an overview of the Alliance’s origins and its post-Cold War adaptation. Participants gained insights into the Alliance’s internal structure, including its headquarters and Strategic Commands, and examined the evolving challenges and vulnerabilities facing NATO today.
The “GULF” Course serves as a vital platform for deepening mutual understanding and strategic dialogue. Spearheaded by Counsellor Emad A. Alkandari, Acting Director of the NIRC, and Colonel Eric De Landmeter, Senior Faculty Advisor and Head of the Engagement Branch at the NDC, this successful collaboration reflects the enduring partnership between the NDC and NIRC, aimed at promoting regional stability through education and collaboration. The productive discussions helped shape the framework for future collaborative initiatives. The programme facilitated valuable professional connections through committee work sessions and social events, reinforcing NATO’s commitment to building lasting ties with its partners in the Gulf region.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Chloé Ketels, FRA C)
NATO Defense College