Today and tomorrow, a workshop entitled “The NATO Mission in Afghanistan: Transitioning to Afghan Control” will take place at the NATO Defense College. The aim of the workshop, coordinated by the Dean of the NDC, Dr Richard D. HOOKER, is to analyse and discuss the broad challenges of transitioning security responsibility, and develop recommendations regarding NATO operations in Afghanistan between now and 2014.
The event will begin with a welcome address by the Commandant of the NATO Defense College, Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter Loeser. The workshop will be divided into several sessions, each followed by a discussion period. The lead-off speaker of the first session, Admiral James STAVRIDIS (SACEUR), will deliver a lecture entitled “The Comprehensive Approach: Integrating Civilian and Military Development”.
The topics of today’s discussion sessions are “Assessment/Metrics: Benchmarks for Transition to Afghan Security Control”, “ANSF Expansion/Partnering: Building Afghan Police and Army Capacity” and “Anti-Corruption: Bolstering Legitimacy and Good Governance”, presented respectively by Lieutenant General David M. RODRIGUEZ (Commander, IJC), Major General James MALLORY (Deputy Commander, NTM-A) and Brigadier General Rick WADDELL (USAR).
Tomorrow there will be three further discussion sessions, entitled: “Strategic Communications: Winning in the War of Ideas”, led by Mr Mark LAITY (Chief, Strategic Communications, SHAPE); “Regional Dynamics: the AF-PAK Approach”, led by Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN (President, American Academy of Diplomacy); and “Post-Transition: An Enduring Presence?”, led by Professor Joseph COLLINS (National Defense College).
The last part of the workshop will be dedicated to the NDC Dean’s concluding remarks and the drafting of a workshop report, which will be disseminated to NATO bodies and published as a NATO Defense College paper.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Mr Patrick Marrone, ITA C)
NATO Defense College 
