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Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session (MC/CS)

NATO Chiefs of Defence discuss Afghanistan, Partnerships and Transformation

14 May. 2013

Brussels – NATO Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed their commitment to support the ISAF Commander over the next 19 months, which will be crucial in determining the outcome of the mission. The Military Committee also discussed opportunities to deepen military-to-military cooperation with NATO Partners. Delving into transformation, they expressed support for ongoing and future initiatives, particularly Smart Defence and the Connected Forces, to achieve best value for money while building on lessons learned from operations.

Secretary General's pre-ministerial press conference

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the elections in Pakistan

13 May. 2013

I congratulate the people of Pakistan on their national and provincial assembly elections, which mark an important step forward in strengthening Pakistan's democracy. Men and women across the country showed their determination to cast their vote despite extremist threats and violence.

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NATO Review

Partners - who needs them? 06 May. 2013 Partnerships in alliances are not new. The simple refrain that ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’ shows the logic of linking up with like-minded people, organisations or countries. And NATO has been taking advantage of partnerships since the 1990s. 
The changing Arctic: how involved should NATO be? 06 May. 2013 A global challenge requires a global approach. And the melting of the Arctic ice is certainly an issue whose effects will be felt around the world. But how much is this a NATO issue? What role could – or should – the Alliance play? NATO Review interviews the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, to see why he invited NATO to take a closer look at the issue. 
Why partners matter: four foreign ministers explain 03 May. 2013 What are partners? And why are they important? NATO Review asked four foreign ministers past and present to explain why partners have a key role in security, where they can help and what the partners get out of their involvement. 
Ashton and Paloméros: why the EU and NATO need partners 24 Apr. 2013 NATO Review asks two of NATO and the EU's top officials how they see partnerships. And whether they could see a way to partnering with each other more. 
Ireland: dealing with NATO and neutrality 24 Apr. 2013 Ireland has been a partner of NATO since the 1990s. So how has this sat with the country's famed neutral status? And what benefit does it bring to either side? NATO Review interviews Ireland's Defence Minister to find out. 
Photostory: partners in action 24 Apr. 2013 Afghanistan is not the only operation where NATO has teamed up with partners. This photostory shows a few examples of partners working side by side with NATO. 
NATO’s 'neutral' European partners: valuable contributors or free riders? 24 Apr. 2013 Stanley Sloan takes a deliberately provocative view of whether all sides benefit equally from neutral countries partnering with NATO. Here he looks at the pros and cons of the arrangement for the countries and the Alliance. 
Sweden: a special NATO partner? 24 Apr. 2013 Sweden's forces haven't been involved in a combat mission for over 50 years. But they have stood ready to assist in many NATO operations since the 1990s. Ryan Hendrickson here makes the case for Sweden to be called a special partner to NATO. 
Women: paying the price of conflict? 07 Mar. 2013 It is mainly men who wage war. And it is mainly women (and children) who suffer from it. These undeniable facts have led the international community to try to tackle some of the key issues leading to this situation: from fighting gender violence to promoting female role models. But, as this edition sets out, the case for more effort remains compelling. 
Women in security: a work in progress? 04 Apr. 2013 What more needs to be done to better integrate women in security? And how can men help? We ask some women who know the difficulties what they would change and how they think this could impact the wider world. 
Women on the frontline 07 Mar. 2013 If you have ever doubted that women suffer most from conflict, this short video will show you some figures that may make you think again. 
Women's fight in pictures 07 Mar. 2013 Women's fight for better treatment starts early. From lack of education, to gender violence through to being responsible for the next generation, this photostory sets out some of the challenges the world's women face. 
Women in security: personal stories 07 Mar. 2013 We ask women how they got interested in security issues, whether they've been victims of stereotyping and what personal experiences have struck them. 
View from the top 07 Mar. 2013 Lena Olving is COO for defence and security company Saab. She has also been voted Sweden's most powerful businesswoman. What advice does she have for women who want to make it in security? 
Women in security: climbing a very long ladder 07 Mar. 2013 What's it like to be a young woman rising up the ranks of the security world? We asked Ioanna Zyga, who has worked at both NATO headquarters and the European Parliament about her experiences - and whether she sees it as still a male-dominated world. 
What's 2013 got in store? 25 Jan. 2013 We've added a new twist to our now traditional kick off to the year: instead of just asking for insights into what may happen, we're asking our invited experts to ruminate on what happened (or didn't) last year…. 
The Secretary General's Annual Report 2012 31 Jan. 2013 What lessons did NATO take from the events of 2012? And how will they influence its priorities for the future? Here we publish the NATO Secretary General’s annual report which provides an insight into both areas. 
Photostory: 2012 in pictures 25 Jan. 2013 2012 was a year that saw key developments in elections, conflicts, nuclear programmes and more. In this photostory, we illustrate some of the major events. 
Which issue do you feel will have a significant impact on security in 2013 and why? 25 Jan. 2013 NATO Review asked four experts in different parts of international affairs how they see 2013 panning out. Here we publish their answers, ranging from predictions for the Middle East to Asia. 
Which area surprised you most in 2012 security? 25 Jan. 2013 What were the surprises in international security in 2012 - and what can we learn from them? Here, four experts ranging from a former UN Commissioner to the head of security think tank outline what the lessons learned of 2012 were. 
Securing the Sahel: a role for NATO? 25 Jan. 2013 NATO has a well established partnership programme with several North African countries bordering the Sahel region of Africa. But as the region witnesses more high profile instability, could NATO play more of a role, asks Paul Pryce? 

nato in focus

NATO and Afghanistan

NATO’s primary objective in Afghanistan is to enable the Afghan authorities to provide effective security across the country and ensure that the country can never again be a safe haven for terrorists.

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The Connected Forces Initiative

After 2014, NATO is expected to shift its emphasis from operational engagement to operational preparedness.

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Smart Defence

In these times of austerity, each euro, dollar or pound sterling counts. Smart defence is a new way of thinking about generating the modern defence capabilities the Alliance needs for the coming decade and beyond.

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Women, peace and security

NATO and its partners are taking concerted action to support implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which was adopted in October 2000. UNSCR 1325 recognizes the disproportionate impact that war and conflicts have on women and children, and highlights the fact that women have been historically left out of peace processes and stabilization efforts.

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