NATO Defense College

Step into the future with NATO 2099! 🔮🚀 The future is not a predestined path. It is a canvas for innovation and creativity. NATO 2099 sees the Organization mark its 150th anniversary with a historic summit on the moon, offering a hopeful vision of a future we actively shape, with narratives rooted in today’s realities – while embracing the uncertainties ahead. “Historically, our nations have often disagreed, and they will again in the future. Because differences are a necessary driving force for civilization.” 📖 Are you ready to explore what lies ahead? Read the graphic novel here: https://lnkd.in/dQb-NjSc

✨In October, the International Week in #Kyiv resumed for the first time since the onset of the war. Jointly organized by the NATO Defense College and the National Defence University of Ukraine, this event brought together over 800 senior officers & senior civilian officials attending virtually from all across #Ukraine. 🇺🇦 Exploring "@NATO in the New Era of #CollectiveDefence", the lectures offered participants insights into the Alliance’s policies and processes, its commitment to partner #engagement and #resilience building, and the ever-changing #security environment in which it operates. 🎬Watch some highlights from the event ⤵️ 💡 Learn more about the event and its key takeaways: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_4WjPHd #WeAreNATO

✨Reflecting on #2024 This year was filled with major events and significant milestones for the NATO Defense College: 🌍 Leading International Dialogue: This year, the NDC hosted the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the principal political decision-making body within @NATO and organized the first edition of the Senior Executive Seminar in June 2024, bringing together senior advisors from Allied nations. 🤝 Strengthening Partnerships: 53rd Conference of Commandants co-hosted by the NDC and the U.S. National Defense University, in Washington D.C. 🇺🇦 Engaging with #Ukraine: The International Week in Kyiv resumed for the first time since the onset of the war, virtually bringing together over 800 attendees from all across Ukraine. 🎯 High-Level Visits: In particular, the College welcomed Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, to the 53rd and 54th Academic Advisory Board (AAB) meetings. 🎓 Recognising Excellence: We honoured outstanding students and committees at the graduation ceremonies for our various courses.. 🏆 Prestigious Award: The Spanish Minister of Defence, Ms Margarita Robles Fernández, presented the College with the “General Gutiérrez Mellado” Extraordinary Defence Award 2024, recognising the NDC’s pivotal role in the transformation of the Spanish Armed Forces, and its mission to prepare Spanish officers for senior positions within the Alliance's military structure. As we look ahead to #2025, we remain committed to our mission of educating and inspiring future leaders. And you, what was your favorite highlight of this year?

🎲 Game on! Strategic board games are now available at the NDC Library, furthering the College’s curriculum and educational objectives. Thanks to the mediation of our Library staff, several gaming sessions have already taken place, a great opportunity for our Course Members to boost their decision-making skills and teamwork abilities 🃏 🧠 #WeAreNATO #StrategicThinking

Looking for thought-provoking holiday reads? 📖 Here are some recommendations from our Research Division’s 2024 publications: 🐉What if…? 12 Dragon King scenarios for 2028 🔭NATO 2099 - The #sciencefiction anthology ✍️How to write a strategy 🚀Fly me to the moon - Why #Europe needs to move into space ⚔️Inequality kills: on Russian combat ineffectiveness in #Ukraine and beyond 🪐Friends in #space - @NATO and #Japan cooperation beyond the skies To access all our publications: 🔗https://lnkd.in/dJfXfNp

Season's Greetings from our Commandant LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen✨ 2024 was a year of significant achievements for the NATO Defense College. From our first Senior Executive Seminar to the release of the "NATO 2099" Graphic Novel, these milestones demonstrate our commitment to innovative education, cutting-edge research, and expanded global engagement. 🌎 We are grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff, Course Members, and NATO Allies and partners. Together, we are building a stronger, more secure future for all. 🤝 ✉️Read the Commandant's full message: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_ybmdJr Happy Holidays! #WeAreNATO #ForwardThinking #FutureReady 

🇷🇴 Romania: More on Strengthening Security in the Black Sea Region   On 18 December, Senior Course 145 visited Romania as the final step of Field Study 3, focused on understanding the security dynamics of the Southern Caucasus and Black Sea regions 🌍   The visit to Romania highlighted the dynamics of the Black Sea region amidst the ongoing shifts since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how Romania has been adapting its defence and security strategy to navigate these changes. Course Members engaged with experts on pressing national and regional security challenges, NATO’s Eastern Flank, and Romania’s foreign and defence policies.   Key highlights: 1️⃣ Welcome speech by the Commandant of the “CAROL I” National Defense University, MGEN Eugen Mavriș 2️⃣ Insights on the security challenges of the Romanian armed forces, by MGEN Remus-Hadrian Bondor, Chief of Strategic Planning (J5) of the Romanian Defence Staff. 3️⃣ Overview of Romania’s defence policy by Ms Simona Cojocaru, State Secretary and Chief of the Department for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, and BGEN Daniel Cocolici, Deputy Chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate 4️⃣ General aspects of Romanian foreign policy, by Ms Ana T, State Secretary for Strategic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 5️⃣ Energy security, by expert Mr Razvan Buzatu 6️⃣ Enhancing maritime security in the Black Sea, by VADM Mihai Panait   🤝 The discussions showcased Romania’s role as a regional strategic pillar on NATO’s Eastern Flank, with its 2.5% of GDP defence commitment and an ambitious military modernization programme.   💡 This visit wrapped up a highly insightful Field Study 3 programme, underscoring the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding among NATO Allies and partners to strengthen cooperation and tackle both current and future challenges.   🔗 Read more about the full Field Study visits to 🇦🇲 🇦🇿 🇧🇬 🇷🇴 here: https://lnkd.in/d4dvAM7X #Education #Engagement #WeAreNATO

🔊 NATO Through Time podcast: "NATO 2099 with Dr Florence Gaub" Director NATO Defense College Research Division. https://lnkd.in/dqMwVakz #Research #WeAreNATO #NATO2099

🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Strengthening Security in the Black Sea Region 🌊   On 16 December, senior officers and officials of the NDC Senior Course visited Bulgaria, attending several briefings at the Rakovski National Defence College (RNDC) in Sofia. Positioned on NATO’s Eastern Flank and bordering the Black Sea, Bulgaria plays a key role in strengthening collective defence and deterring aggression in the region. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and heightened Black Sea tensions, Bulgaria has adapted its defence in close cooperation with NATO. Course Members had the opportunity to engage with experts on these pressing developments.   🔹 Key Highlights: 1️⃣ Colonel Associate Professor Dimitar Tashkov – RNDC Deputy Commandant for Education and Research – introduced the mission and tasks of the RNDC. 2️⃣ Colonel Ivan Varbanov – Deputy Director of Strategic Planning Directorate – discussed Bulgaria’s strategic transformation and military modernization. 3️⃣ Mihail Naydenov – Chief Expert, Defence Policy and Planning Directorate – presented Bulgaria’s Defence Policy. 4️⃣ LTC Olaf Thase – Deputy Commander, NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU) – provided an overview of NFIU operations. 5️⃣ LTC Svetozar Bosilkov – Expert, Crisis Management and Disaster Response (CMDR) Centre of Excellence – presented Bulgaria's expertise in crisis management.   🤝 Bilateral Meetings The Commandant of the NATO Defense College (NDC), LGEN Max A.L.T. Nielsen, engaged in high-level bilateral discussions with: - Radostin Iliev, Deputy Minister of Defence - Admiral Emil Eftimov, Chief of Defence - Major-General Stayko Prokopiev, RNDC Commandant - Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, advisor on defence and security policy to the President of Bulgaria   These discussions focused on: 🔹 Bulgaria’s security challenges as a country on the Black Sea. 🔹 Opportunities to deepen cooperation between the NDC and RNDC on strategic education for future defence leaders.   The NDC Commandant expressed gratitude for the open exchange of ideas, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in understanding both national and global priorities and challenges in order to ensure unity and a safer world. 🌍   #NATO #Bulgaria #BlackSeaSecurity #DefenceCooperation #StrategicLeadership

More Strategic Insights into the South Caucasus 🌍   🇦🇿 Last week, the Senior Course of the NATO Defense College (NDC) visited Azerbaijan, the second stop on their Field Study trip, which focuses on exploring the security dynamics of the South Caucasus and Black Sea regions.   📍 In Baku, the delegation attended briefings at the ADA Institute for Development and Diplomacy, engaging with high-level officials and gaining deeper insights into Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, regional security, defence, and energy policy.   ✅ Key highlights:   -         Opening speech delivered by ADA Vice Rector, Fariz Ismayilzade -         Mr Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, on Azerbaijan's foreign policy and regional security and emerging challenges -         Dr Esmira Jafarova, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding Azerbaijan's energy strategy and economic projects -         Colonel Ramil Shukurov, from the Ministry of Defence, with insights into army development, Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, and defence strategy.   The briefings were also attended by distinguished guests, including Edgars Skuja, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Azerbaijan, as Latvia currently serves as the NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan, and Milan Lajcak, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Azerbaijan, representing the incoming NATO Contact Point Embassy.   ✅ High-Level Engagements: During the visit, the NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen held bilateral meetings with: -         First Deputy Minister of Defence – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army Colonel General Kerim Valiyev, to discuss military reforms, areas of collaboration with NATO, and Azerbaijan's interest in achieving peace and regional stability. -         Rector of Azerbaijan’s National Defence University Major General Gunduz Abdulov, to explore opportunities for strengthening cooperation in military education between the University and the NDC.   🤝 During the meetings, both sides reaffirmed the importance of interoperability, stability and shared security efforts. Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner for NATO, celebrating 30 years of partnership this year. Over the years, more than 100 Azerbaijani officers and officials have attended courses at the NATO Defense College, further strengthening cooperation and mutual understanding!   #NATODefenseCollege #Azerbaijan #Partnerships #SouthernCaucasus #Security #Stability