The NATO Defense College’s Senior Course visited the United States of America from 7 to 12 October 2024. After visiting key NATO institutions in Brussels and learning about Canada’s defence priorities in Ottawa, this trip provided a complementary perspective on NATO’s presence in North America, its partnerships, as well as the region’s broader defence priorities. The visit included stops at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, at Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, and in Washington, DC.
The United Nations, NATO partner in global peace and security:
The Course Members visited the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York and the Permanent Mission of Türkiye to the UN, where they were welcomed by Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the UN. Ambassador Yıldız opened discussions with key practitioners on the UN’s critical role in conflict prevention and the promotion of international peace.
Dylan P. White, Head of the NATO Liaison Office to the UN, elaborated on the practical cooperation between NATO and the UN, emphasizing their shared commitment to maintaining global peace and security. Additionally, Course Members participated in a panel discussion with Military Advisors from NATO member countries. The panel addressed the challenges facing UN peacekeeping operations, offering insights into current issues and future challenges. Additionally, an official from the UN Office of Military Affairs delivered an overview of UN peacekeeping efforts in the context of today’s increasingly complex security landscape.
Allied Command Transformation, one of NATO’s two Strategic Commands:
The two Strategic Commands, Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations, complement each other in shaping both the current and future operational environments, ensuring that NATO forces are equipped to address any security challenge in support of NATO’s principles and interests.
Course Members visited NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, Virginia, where they had the opportunity to engage with Admiral Pierre Vandier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, and Vice Admiral Simon Asquith, Chief of Staff. Both leaders emphasized ACT’s critical role in equipping the Alliance with the capabilities needed to maintain a strategic advantage both today and in the future.
During the visit, Course Members also attended a panel featuring Rear Admiral Placido Torresi, Deputy Chief of Staff Multi-Domain Force Development Directorate; Commodore Ruud Schoonen, Assistant Chief of Staff Strategic Plans & Policy; and Brigadier General Thorsten Jorgensen, Assistant Chief of Staff Requirements. They discussed the evolving landscape of warfare and how ACT is contributing to NATO’s readiness through initiatives such as strategic foresight, the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept, and Multi-Domain Operations (MDOs).
The Commandant of the NATO Defense College, Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, and the Dean, Dr Christopher Schnaubelt, met with Admiral Pierre Vandier and discussed the priorities that ACT is currently working on as well as interoperability within NATO. The latter is also a focal point of NDC’s courses: to promote human interoperability among participants and across NATO.
Washington, DC, the heart of US policy:
The final stop of this Field Study was Washington, DC, where Course Members visited the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, for a programme organized by the United States Space Force. They heard from Major General Steve Whitney, Director of Staff, Headquarters, US Space Force, and engaged in discussions with Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, Lieutenant General DeAnna M. Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, as well as representatives from the US Departments of Defense and State. In 2019, NATO Allies adopted NATO’s Space Policy, recognizing space as a new operational domain essential to the Alliance’s deterrence and defence. As space continues to evolve rapidly, the discussions at the Pentagon provided Course Members with a deeper understanding of the US Space Force’s activities and its cooperation with NATO to strengthen collective defence and ensure that space remains a peaceful domain in the future. The talks also explored how NATO supports the US defence strategy and the key defence priorities of the United States.
Additionally, Course Members visited Capitol Hill, where they met with Congressman Gerry Connolly, former President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The conversation focused on the current global security challenges facing the Alliance.
The Senior Course visit to the United States offered a comprehensive understanding of NATO’s transatlantic relationships and strategic priorities. From engaging with the United Nations on global peacekeeping efforts to learning about Allied Command Transformation’s role in maintaining NATO’s operational advantage and finally, gaining insights into US defence strategy at the Pentagon, the trip served to reinforce the importance of NATO’s partnerships and Allies in maintaining global security. The visits underscored the interconnectedness of NATO’s operational domains and highlighted the Alliance’s continued efforts to adapt to emerging challenges.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)
NATO Defense College