News

On 25 and 26 November, two panels of experts delivered briefings on the challenges and opportunities in the Middle East, giving details on the Gulf States, Iran, Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This was followed by a wide-ranging debate between the briefers and the Course Members of Senior Course 137, moderated by Faculty Advisor Mrs Nancy Vellone (ITA).

• NDC Policy Brief 21-20: The pandemic and the military: towards total defence?, by Antonio Missiroli and Michael Rühle *

NDC Modular Short Course 137-4 entitled, “NATO: 360 Degrees” took place in virtual mode during its entire duration from 16-20 November.

On 18 and 19 November, Course Members of Senior Course 137 took part in a “blended ” version of the Russia Seminar at the NATO Defense College.

On 18th November, the NATO Defense College hosted Rome-based Defence Attachés as part of its engagement activities. This is an opportunity for Embassies from NATO and Partner countries based in Rome to get a better understanding of the mission of the College, its courses and research activities.

• NDC Research Paper 13: "Russia’s energy policy. Dependence, networks and special relationships", by Marc Ozawa and Ion A. Iftimie

On the last day of Field Study 2, Senior Course 137 took a virtual trip to Turkey. During the two sessions of the day, Course Members were given a number of briefings about Turkish foreign and defence policy.

On 12 November 2020, Senior Course 137 paid a virtual visit to the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples (JFC Naples) to learn about its core activities and mission.

Field Study II continued with the virtual visit of Senior Course 137 to Sarajevo, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence of BiH. Course Members were welcomed by VTC by the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Bisera Turković and the Minister of Defence, Sifet Podžić, and had the opportunity to listen to lectures from senior leaders of both ministries who gave a broad picture of the country’s defence and security policies.

On 10 November, Senior Course 137 was introduced to the NATO Strategic Direction-South Hub by its Director, Brigadier General Davide Re (ITA F). BGEN Re, who is an Ancien of Senior Course 114, described the missions and the Hub’s activities, underlining the innovative approach of the Hub to challenges emanating from NATO’s southern region. During the discussion with SC 137 Course Members, BGEN Re stressed the very complex nature of the challenges affecting the South and pointed out the various areas where NATO could contribute to reinforce stability in this vast region.