Next step
Dear visitors,
Thank you for all your comments and reactions since we launched this website on the New Strategic Concept last Monday, 3 August 2009. We are very pleased to see your interesting, constructive and thought-provoking contributions – and yes, we have read them all!
Here is a bit more information about how we envisage this forum to run and how we can cooperate.
The Roadmap for the New Strategic Concept (available on the Strategic Concept home page here), we state that the process leading to the adoption of the new Concept consists of three phases.
The first of these, which we are in now, is the “reflection phase”. Four expert seminars are planned to take place in the coming months, hosted by various NATO nations. As soon as the details are available, we will announce the dates and locations of these events.
In the meantime, here are the four themes that will be discussed at the seminars:
- NATO’s core tasks and functions;
- NATO as a part of a network of security actors;
- NATO and the Euro-Atlantic security environment; and
- NATO’s transformation process and capabilities.
Our first thematic discussion will start soon. Stay tuned to find out more about it in the coming days!
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Show area for each project and give a short and simple information of the active project. Show the plan that should work for the good of the project.
In his book ‘Torn Christendom’,
written by the Dutch writer Anton van Duinkerken and published in 1937, the autor says that in Europe three mainstreams of humanism from post Middle Ages still wield influence on the ‘modern’ society. These following characters, he says , represent the mainstreams : Thomas More, Desiderius Erasmus and Nicolo Machiavelli.
In my first contribution I’ve tried to make clear that I think that – from my point of view- it is likely that post WW2 onwards, the Machiavellistic ‘hard humanism’ -van Duinkerken called it – might become a prevailing influence with our modern developing Western society.
In my opinion in a new Strategic concept for building a future world we must meet prevailing infuences based on this blind power:
“ that does not recognize ‘good ‘or ‘bad’ but finds its practical considerations in what will add to power. The purpose of power is not prosperity, but the power cannot do without prosperity. That’s why she has to be social. The purpose of power is power.”
What is the future role of the Europe in the crisis management?
1. Managing there new challenges (both in the East and beyond Europe's border's)
2. The role has initially focused on assisting member nations in responding to natural and manmade disaster, such as chemical and toxic spills, avalanches, floods, earthquakes, extreme weater, fires etc.
3. The various stages of emergency planning: early warning and prevention, preparedness, response and recovery
Dear all,
Thank you very much for the possibility to express my opinion about the future priorities and strategic concepts of NATO.
Considering the current world situation I think that the priorities of NATO shall focus on the following issues:
1. Terrorism
- Analyzing the methods and actions of terrorist organization; methods of recruitment; profiling of the new recruits; equipment; training of the new recruits within the terrorist organizations; attitude of the local people towards the terrorists, attitude of the young people, attitude of the militaries fighting against terrorists, etc.
- Unit For Urgent Actions Against Terrorist Attacks
- Observing and modernizing of the methods for combating terrorist attacks (preparation of timely and corresponding strategies considering the feedback of terrorists’ actions and methods)
- Preparation of emergency response plans and crisis management
- Collaboration and timely exchange of information between the countries at the event of eventual or real terrorist attacks, etc.;
2. Cyber terrorism
- Methods and equipment ensuring protection against cyber terrorist attacks
- Training for combating terrorist attacks in potential objects of terrorist attacks
- Prevention of cyber terrorist attacks
- Exchange of information between the countries at the event of eventual or real cyber terrorist attacks, etc.;
3. Money laundering and terrorism financing
- Systems for tracing financial operations and information about possible terrorism financing
- Prevention of terrorism financing by electronic means (including electronic trade and electronic financial instruments), etc.;
4. Protection of human rights;
5. Modernization and coordination between the military forces of the members of NATO, including operations, equipment, training, etc.;
6. Protection of the environment and collaboration between the organization and the members at the event of natural disasters;
7. Arms Control, Disarmament, And Non-Proliferation;
8. Collaboration between non-members and other world and regional organizations for the protection of the world’s security, peace and human rights.
I hope that my opinion will prove useful.
Yours Faithfully,
Iliana Panayotova
NATO, since its founding has played an important role in securing peace.
The events of recent years, with former East-block countries joining / wanting to join NATO has in many ways resulted in confusion and I wonder if it is counter productive to long term goals.
Indeed, when do the burdens of the pst make it more productive to form a new organization structure that reflects current needs?
I wonder if just the term NATO is part of the communication problem with Russia and memories of the past.
Again, congratulations to NATO and making such a discussion possible.
NATO must "cure" not consequences, but reasons! NATO's new tasks result from the new conditions in the global security environment. Due to the unprecedented high dynamics of the world’s development, it is no longer sufficient for NATO to treat only the effects of military conflicts and crises. In the future, NATO will have as a highly responsible mission to overcome the reasons for the emergence of military conflicts and crises. As a result from this mission, NATO’s features and capabilities will not be only military. They will be directly related to the education, culture, heritage and national treasures of the nations.
Surely the reason behind NATO being in existence is the ability to meet threats with a joint response which is greater than any single country could effect. For NATO to continue to be effective it should look at how it continues to do that and also which threats are the ones that need to focused upon. To this end, an amgamation of Iliana's top 3 woud appear to constitute the biggest single threat to all of the member states and this is where the resources need to be targeted of any future itteration of NATO.
Additionally there needs to be some tough conversations within NATO itself as many member countries are very good at asking "What can NATO do for us?" but retiscent to answer "What can we do for NATO?" This needs to be urgently addressed if NATO is going to continue to provide sacurity in the years to come with a genuine engagement by all parties being the only viable option. It is time for all members to let everyone see the pieces of the jigsaw that they hold, only then will we have a chance of building a secure future.
terorism and money laundering is a police task . nato can assist the police if the treath is to large to handel. we most not create a state with in the state.nato can be a extention of police and justice; not a second police and justice system.
Dear Fockaert Pascal,
I can't agree that terrorism and money laundering are only police tasks. Terrorism is the biggest thread for security and this is an issue that has to be handled on a world level. The goals of terrorist organizations and the means they use to achieve them require the active role of all governments for combating them. We all know the current types of terrorism, structure, the manipulation techniques used by terrorist organizations, training, financing etc. If this was just a police task, then why we have sent military units in Iraq, Afghanistan for example? Without underestimating the role of police, police authorities and abilities are not sufficient to deal with such an issue. Yes, there are terrorism departments in police, I agree, but is this enough for dealing with a thread of such size?
You wrote that international organization shall become extension of police units. Then my question would be which unit? Police units are working within the boundaries of the countries they were established. Then how would be possible and well-grounded, NATO, considered as organization which had its own legal capacity separate from the one of its members, can become an extension of a state police unit? To assist the police units if the thread is too large to handle? The possible consequences shall not be estimated only on a short-term basis, considering the effect of a separate terrorist activity. What shall be taken into consideration is the future reflection of world relations because each terrorist activity is a part of a system of activities, pursuing a certain goal and most often it has effect on more than one country.
You may find more arguments to claim that money laundering can be considered more like police task but we shall not forget that criminal organizations related to money laundering are one of the main sources for financinig of terrorism. Also one of the modern sources for terrorism financing is by the use of electronic means,an issue that has to be considered in connection to the difficulties we meet by tracing financial operations. Then my question would be if we can separate the source of financing from the terrorism and not to include it as a task of the organization?
It would be very good and convenient if we could separate different issues so easily, claiming that some of them are police tasks and some are not. Unfortunately this is impossible because society relations are too complicated to be frimly categorized and added to one group.
And if NATO was established in the name of world security and peace, then how can we say that the biggest thread for them shall not be included in the main tasks of this organization?
Best Regards,
Iliana Panayotova
I must agree with Iliana. Police tasks are INSIDE the state, and not outside it. There is no world-government, and so there is no world-police. Unfortunately, terrorism became a global problem and threat. Currently, there is no global organization that have the right or the knowledge of how to fight and prevent global terrorism. In my opinion, NATO has the potential to do it in the best way possible. NATO should "take the job" while it's free.
How can PfP nations officialy get involved into NATO missions eg in case of catastrophy scenarios?
Dear Inna,
Thank you for your comments. We agree that no single organization can adequately address the challenge of global terrorism. One aspect of the Comprehensive Approach is the idea that organizations with expertise in different fields will have to work together for peace and security. If you like, have a look at the Topic Page on the Comprehensive Approach, posted just above on this page.
Best Regards,
The Moderating Team
Dear Iliana,
We agree that peace and security cannot be achieved by military means alone. In fact, the difficulties of modern operations require coordination and consultation among all major actors, including intergovernmental and non-government organizations. Have a look at our topic page on the Comprehensive Approach and tell us what you think!
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-3A87F06B-47B6C0BA/natolive/topics_51633.htm
And thanks again for your comments!
Best regards,
The Moderating Team
It is evident the global dimensions of the multi-faceted Nato Command structure worldwide,form JFTC-Nato Joint Froces Training Centre-Bydgoszyc, Poland to Nato Joint Warfare Centre-Stavanger, Norway most importantly is the NEW Nato Strategic Concept. When a very publicized aerial bombardment of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, just as the German Luftwaffe conducted 06th April 1941, then sent in SS Wehrmacht/Waffen division into Belagrade. Then US Secretary of State Madeliene Albright, demonized the Orthodox Serbs, and presented a flawed and peppered ultimatum, "Rambouliet Accord". I heard Honorable Madeliene Albright give a speech regarding her past achievement, and that Nato "Illegal" aerial bombardment was a crowning achievement for the Nato Alliance, I could NOT believe my ears, Albanian KLA were on the US State Department "Terrorist Watch List" (1989). The Nato Centre of Excellence "Defense of terrorism" is located in Akanar, Turkey (99% Islamic Muslim). Now the "catalyst" for Nato "TRANSFORMATION" is NRF-Nato Response Forces and the NEW Nato Allied Supreme Command Transformation Centre-Norfolk, Virginia thru "Atlantic Council"/Pentagon/USJFCOM-Suffolk. The Third Reich of Europe was only 70 years ago, the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" was only concieved 20th January 1942 @ Lake Wannsee Conference, just outside of Berlin. The NEW Nato Strategic Concept is a concept which I believe is not to serve mankind, but contrary. former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger mentioned a "terrorist is ANYONE who does not AGREE with the "International Community". Given the WHO-World Health Organization's declaration of Phase 6 H1N1 Pandemic and the Declaration of the Independence of Kosovo, these are w reckless decisions in my judgment. Now SAC-Nato Strategic Airlift capability program with UN/EU/Nato in Hungary for the next 30 yrs, what can the world expect from Nato "protection?" "Security?". The current US National Security Advisor-General James L. Jones was former Nato SACEUR Commander (2003-05).
Dear Moderating team,
Thank you very much for the link about the Comprehensive Approach. I read the article and I would like to share my opinion about it.
1. In connection to point 2 “Lessons learned, training, education and exercises”
Increasing the qualifications of people is the only effective approach so they can be productive and dedicated to their work in the necessary extent for the successful conduct of all types of operations. Also, from psychological point of view this is a good teambuilding and establishing contacts and trust tool.
2. In connection to point 3 “Enhancing cooperation with external actors”
As I already mentioned in my comments, cooperation with international organizations is also very important issue. Mutual work and coherence facilitate the crisis management and increase the chances for success. Each different organization has its own goals and more information in connection to their achieving than organizations operating in other fields. Their experience and skills can have only positive effect on NATO’s operations and strategic planning.
Enhancing cooperation with non-members is also very significant issue. But this shall be done extremely carefully by considering the role of each country in the international relations. Factors in world policy like Russia always had different approach that shall be observed and reported first. By saying this I don’t mean that there shall be no cooperation with Russia or other countries using their diplomatic methods, quite the contrary. I am only saying that all pros and cons shall be deeply analyzed before this and then, on the basis of the results, shall be defined the type of cooperation.
3. In connection to point 4 “Public messaging”
I would like to add something in connection to public messaging. Cooperation with the media is also one of the points I wrote about in my previous comments. The public image is the most crucial thing about the attitude towards any organization. The PR campaign can either build/increase the trust or to lead to misunderstanding/lack of trust in the mission and activity of the organization. As an example I would like to post a link to the OFFICIAL web site Bulgaria-NATO: http://www.bulgaria-nato.org/. As you may see, the information it includes is out-of-date, and this made me think about the point of its existence. How can people in Bulgaria get good understanding about NATO then? Bulgaria has official representatives in Brussels, but what about in the country itself? Are there wide information campaigns and clarity about organization’s activity? The answer of this question unfortunately is negative because the official web site contains old information. There are still too many people in this country who think that the NATO’s task is only to send military troops in other countries and attend missions at the event of war. And this whole appreciation is too wrong, because when talking about peace and security, this is not always related to the use of military forces and weapons. But the criticism and mistrust face and will face the organization in the future if something do not change.
A good approach to the solution of this problem may be the establishment of offices of the organization in the countries which main activities shall be related to information campaigns; coordination at the event of crisis; information processing for prognostication of possible future conflicts in the region and performance of the tasks in point 1 of the Comprehensive Approach etc. I do believe that this will increase the trust in the organization, facilitate the information exchange and analyses and also will have good effect on the planning and conduct of operations. This can also turn into a good and useful coordination centre between NATO and the representative offices of other organizations within the country which will result in good results in coordination of their work too.
4. In connection to point 5 “Stabilization and reconstruction”
Stabilization and reconstruction are extremely important issues. Without them, the mission performed represents only half of the job that needs to be done. As I already expressed my opinion in my previous comments, non-military means are not less important than the military. Interference in any country leads to criticism and resentment at least in part of the local population. The solution of a conflict does not only mean conduct of military operations and imposition of rules. The real work actually starts after that when this place has to be stabilized and people shall go back to their normal life. If this does not happen then all prerequisites for armed conflicts and terrorism activities are available and it’s only a question of time before they become reality.
Thank you very much again for the chance you gave to all of us to express our ideas and comments. On the behalf of all participants, I would like to say that I hope that our feedback will prove useful.
Best Regards,
Iliana Panayotova
There does not seen to be much we can agree on, Michael.
We appreciate that you took the time to air your views nonetheless.
Sincerely,
The Moderating Team
Thank you again, Iliana, for another thoughtful and interesting post.
You write that "when talking about peace and security, this is not always related to the use of military forces and weapons." It strikes us that you have skillfully identified the main idea behind the Comprehensive Approach.
Your feedback is very useful indeed. Please do not hesitate to post any other questions or comments that you may have. Your post, like others, will be forwarded to the Group of Experts for their review.
Best regards,
The Moderating Team
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