The first part of the Study Period addressing “Regional Issues and Challenges” was held at the NATO Defense College from Monday 23 to Friday 27 November 2009. This part of the Senior Course curriculum examines selected regions of geo-strategic significance, examining key political, economic and security issues, and analysing risks to security and stability. The Senior Course was joined for this week also by the 12 participants, from a range of NATO nations, in Modular Short Course (MSC) 115/4.
The Study Period commenced with a lecture on “The Caucasus”, delivered by Mr Vladimir SOCOR of the Jamestown Foundation, Washington. His lecture focused particularly on Western involvement and interests in the region, especially those related to transit of energy supplies, and on current developments in and prospects for the various territorial conflicts in the region.
The first day of the Study Period also saw a lecture on “Ukraine, Belarus & Moldova”, from Dr Arkady MOSHES, of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Dr Moshes expertly analysed the domestic political, social and economic context in these countries, and their external relations, particularly with Russia and with the European Union.
The next day saw a panel of lectures dealing with “Russia”. These were delivered by Dr Dimitry SUSLOV, Deputy Director for Research at the Council for Foreign & Defense Policy (Moscow), and Dr Andrew MONAGHAN, of the NDC’s own Research Division. The lectures examined the complex domestic challenges facing the country, in the political economic and social spheres; and the principle elements and aims of Russia’s security and foreign policies.
The Study Period programme continued, on Wednesday, 25 November, with a lecture on “the Western Balkans” given by Ambassador Istvan GYARMATI, Director of the International Centre for Democratic Transition. In a wide-ranging analysis, Ambassador Gyarmati addressed in particular the challenges of finding lasting solutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, as well as the future prospects for other states in the region, especially with regard to their hopes for integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
The next topic on the curriculum was “Sub-Saharan Africa”, covered in a panel of lectures delivered by Mr Tom PORTEOUS, UK Director of Human Rights Watch, and Dr Greg MILLS, Director of the Brenthurst Foundation in Johannesburg. These lectures discussed the key political, social and economic challenges facing the region, the links between these factors and conflict and insecurity, and the approaches adopted, both by African countries themselves and by external players, to tackle these challenges.
This first part of the Study Period concluded with a lecture on “The Maghreb” given by Professor Mustapha BENCHENANE, of the Université René Descartes in Paris. The Professor outlined the key characteristics of this region, and the challenges it faces as it goes through a period of political and social transition, discussing also the possible contribution in the region of international organizations including NATO.
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