News

• NDC Outlook 05-2024: Fly me to the moon - Why Europe needs to move into space, by Samantha Cristoforetti and Alessandro Marrone

On 20 June 2024, Senior Course 144 visited the European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) in Frascati, Italy.

On 24 and 25 June 2024, the NDC’s Research Division and SHAPE’s Political and Security Analysis Branch held a horizon-scanning workshop entitled “Strategic Outlook Western Balkans, 2026”.

On 19 June 2024, Senior Course 144 stepped back in time when they visited the area around the town of Cassino in the Liri valley, about 130 km southeast of Rome. The aim of the visit was to give Course Members the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the complexities involved in conducting war as a multinational alliance.

From 20 to 21 June 2024, the NATO Defense College hosted its first edition of the Senior Executive Seminar (SES), in collaboration with the Aspen Institute Italia. This event brought together senior advisors to heads of state, government and parliaments from Allied nations. The aim of the Seminar was to deepen participants’ understanding of NATO issues and to foster discussions on military and security challenges that directly influence political decision-making within NATO.

The NATO Defense College recently concluded the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course (GFOAC) 2024-1, held from 17 to 21 June 2024. This Course provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the complex challenges the Alliance is facing, 75 years after its creation, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.

From 3 to 6 June 2024, a group of 43 young professionals, representing seven different NATO nations, from the NATO Field School and Simulation Program (organized by Simon Fraser University) visited the NATO Defense College. The students completed an intensive four-day simulation known as the Negotiation, Mediation and Decision-Making Exercise (NMDX)

On 14 June, Senior Course 144 Course Members explored the current security challenges and opportunities in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea. Taking a closer look into the region’s main sources of instability and conflict, Course Members engaged in animated discussions on possible developments and the role of international players in the South Caucasus.

On 13 June, Senior Course 144 delved into the complex political and security landscape of the Western Balkans. Guest lecturers Dr Marilena Koppa and Mr Gerald Knaus provided a strategic overview of the region's past and present security challenges and opportunities. After an insightful Q&A session, Course Members engaged in in-depth committee discussions.

• NDC Insight 03-2024: How to write a strategy , by Christopher M. Schnaubelt *