News

From 13 May to 17 May, Senior Course 144 participants at the NATO Defense College delved into the intricacies of crisis management, through the intensive Negotiation, Mediation and Decision-Making Exercise (NMDX). During the exercise, Course Members assumed pivotal roles within NATO's senior committees, including the North Atlantic Council, the Political Committee, the Military Committee and the Operations Policy Committee. Placed at the epicentre of an unfolding international crisis, participants navigated complex geopolitical landscapes while responding to a fictional UN Security Council mandate for a NATO-led crisis response operation in a simulated non-NATO country.

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From 7 to 9 May 2024, Senior Course 144 attended the Russia Seminar, a three-day study programme dedicated to Russia’s foreign policy, as well as the impact of its aggressive actions against Ukraine.

On 2 and 3 May, Senior Course 144 took part in Italian Days, a two-day tour in Rome during which Course Members attended briefings by high-level speakers from key Italian institutions such as the Italian Joint Operations Command (ITA JFHQ), the Secretariat General of Defence and National Armaments Directorate (SG/DNA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and the House of Deputies. This Field Study provided Course Members with first-hand insights on Italy’s strategic concerns and priorities and how such issues align with NATO’s objectives.

Washington, DC (06.05.2024) – Coinciding with the 75th anniversary year of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, the NATO Conference of Commandants will this year be held for the first time in the United States. The NATO Defense College (NDC) and the National Defense University (NDU) will co-host the 53rd edition of this annual conference on the NDU campus at Fort McNair, in Washington DC, from 7 to 10 May 2024.

Senior Course 144 visited Berlin, Germany to gain firsthand insights into the nation's defence and security stance directly from the Ministry of Defense.
This was the fourth stop of Senior Course’s Field Study 2 programme, designed to deepen understanding of European Allies' defence perspectives through direct engagement with leading practitioners.

London, United Kingdom, was the third stop on Field Study 2 for Senior Course 144. Hosted at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the visit provided insights into the UK’s stance on current international defence and security challenges relevant to NATO. It was also a valuable opportunity for interactions with senior officials from the FCDO, the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office, as well as representatives from industry and academia.

Senior Course 144 visited Paris, France, as the second stop on Field Study 2. During their stay, Course Members were briefed on France's defence strategic vision and had the opportunity to engage with high-ranking officials including the Chief of Defence, General Thierry Burkhard, as well as high-level practitioners from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Parliament.

Senior Course 144 started their Field Study 2 programme in Lisbon, Portugal, with a visit to the Portuguese National Defence Institute (IDN) which provided firsthand insights into Portugal's strategic approaches concerning defence, security, and foreign policies.

On 19 April 2024, the NATO Defense College graduated the 31st edition of the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC). Course Members celebrated the completion of the 10-week curriculum with a graduation ceremony gathering Ambassadors to Italy, various authorities and defence attachés, Course Members’ families and NDC Staff.