News

May 30, 2022

NATO’s security environment is undergoing many changes, accelerated in recent months by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the war has understandably dominated attention, the Alliance continues to plan for the future with the lead-up to NATO’s Madrid Summit in June. The prospect of a new Strategic Concept presents both opportunities and challenges as NATO recalibrates its strategic vision for the next decade and beyond.

On 31 May 2022, a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, led by Ms. Irina Zidaru, General Director for Strategic Affairs, visited the NATO Defense College (NDC). The aim of the visit was to exchange views on security in and around the Black Sea and on NATO’s Eastern Flank. The official visit was also an opportunity to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between Romania and the NDC.

From 20 to 27 May 2022, Senior Course 140 took part in a Negotiation, Mediation and Decision-Making Exercise (NMDX). Over a period of six days, Course Members had the opportunity to examine NATO’s role in crisis response operations, and the Alliance’s organization and functioning in crisis management situations.

The Budget Committee (BC) visited the NATO Defense College (NDC) from 24 to 25 May 2022. The aim of the visit was to introduce the BC’s members to NDC activities and to host a number of sessions for other NATO bodies to make presentations and briefings. The visit included briefings from the NDC, the Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Command Operations (ACO), Science and Technology Organization - Office of the Chief Scientist (STO-OCS) and Science and Technology Organization - Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (STO-CMRE).

• NDC Policy Brief 10-22: Protecting NATO’s security community , by Alexandra Gheciu *

• NDC Policy Brief 09-22: Is Russia a threat in emerging and disruptive technologies? , by Katarzyna Zysk*

On 19 May, the second day of the Conference focused on people and, more specifically, on “Resilience as a Skill to be Developed”. This was the final day of the Conference, where participants agreed on the ways forward and discussed the main takeaways of the event.

On 18 and 19 of May 2022, Senior Course 140 attended the first edition of the Africa Seminar at the NATO Defense College (NDC). The Seminar brought a panel of experts together to talk about North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The 51st Conference of Commandants is being held from 17 to 19 May 2022 at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg. The international engagement event gathers participants from Allied and partner nations to discuss the future of professional military education, focusing this year on “Resilience”.

The last stop on the Senior Course 140 Field Study to the US was a visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.