The Secretary General

NATO Review

- Quantum technologies 03 Jun. 2021 NATO looks at future applications of novel quantum technologies and their implications for defence and security.
- Quantum technologies in defence & security 03 Jun. 2021 Given the potential implications of novel quantum technologies for defence and security, NATO has identified quantum as one of its key emerging and disruptive technologies. This article seeks to unpack some of the fascinating future applications of quantum technologies and their implications for defence and security.
- Countering cognitive warfare: awareness and resilience 20 May. 2021 The Alliance faces a range of challenges in emerging domains of conflict. These domains can arise from the introduction of new and disruptive technologies. The domains of space and cyber, for example, came out of developments in rocket, satellite, computing, telecommunications, and internetworking technologies. The increasingly widespread use of social media, social networking, social messaging, and mobile device technologies is now enabling a new domain: cognitive warfare.
- Book review: Deterrence in the 21st Century – Insights from Theory and Practice 29 Apr. 2021 This is a most timely book. After the end of the Cold War, interest in deterrence waned, yet a more volatile security environment has brought it back with a vengeance. But what is deterrence really about?
- NATO is responding to new challenges posed by climate change 01 Apr. 2021 The Allies are individually responsible for adapting to climate change but the Alliance must also act collectively. It is urgent that NATO comprehensively recognises changes in environmental conditions, responds to climate change and adapts its capabilities. Climate change and extreme weather have significant military implications for NATO on the tactical, operational and military-strategic level.
- Enlarging NATO’s toolbox to counter hybrid threats 19 Mar. 2021 Threats to stability and security are increasingly taking place in the "grey zone", where state and non-state actors employ hybrid tactics, such as disinformation or cyber attack. How is NATO responding to these challenges?
- Cognitive Biotechnology: opportunities and considerations for the NATO Alliance 26 Feb. 2021 Advances in biophysical, biochemical and behavioral technologies are beginning to turn science fiction into reality. These developments offer exciting possibilities, while also raising issues with regard to ethics and responsible use.
- Energy security in the era of hybrid warfare 13 Jan. 2021 Energy security has been a key strategic factor in military thinking since the start of the 20th century. Recent events show that it has become a major and growing challenge for the Alliance in an era increasingly dominated by hybrid warfare.
- Disinformation in the Western Balkans 21 Dec. 2020 The Western Balkans region is very vulnerable to foreign disinformation, which has intensified in recent years. Why is this? What can be done to mitigate it?
- Countering drones: looking for the silver bullet 16 Dec. 2020 Unmanned Aircraft Systems pose an ever-increasing, multifaceted threat to civilian and military infrastructure, assets and people. What are the Allies doing to address this challenge?
- Artificial Intelligence at NATO: dynamic adoption, responsible use 24 Nov. 2020 The deputy head of NATO’s Innovation Unit lays out current efforts to develop Artificial Intelligence policy at NATO.
- Working with NATO: the experience of Johns Hopkins University 30 Sep. 2020 Ahead of NATO’s first ever Youth Summit on 9 November 2020, we look at how student engineers and scientists at Johns Hopkins University are contributing to NATO’s quest for innovation, a top priority for the Alliance.
- NATO and the 5G challenge 30 Sep. 2020 The 5G controversy came to a head in early 2019. Many Allies became concerned about the security of future intra-Alliance commercial and military communications, primarily – but not only – because of risks posed by non-Allied suppliers. After months of discussion and debate, NATO leaders meeting in London in December 2019 stressed the importance of “the security of communications, including 5G” and recognised “the need to rely on secure and resilient systems”.
- Building a resilient innovation pipeline for the Alliance 01 Sep. 2020 The head of NATO’s Innovation Unit looks at how the Allies need to leverage comparative advantage, creativity and capital to win the race to adopt emerging disruptive technologies.
- Servant of the institution: Secretary General Lord Peter Carrington 14 Jul. 2020 We look back at the record of Lord Peter Carrington, NATO's sixth Secretary General, who helped steer the Alliance through a time of transatlantic tensions. He died two years ago, on 9 July 2018.
- An independent and sovereign Ukraine is key to Euro-Atlantic security 08 Jul. 2020 Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine have seriously undermined Euro-Atlantic security. Ukraine has engaged constructively towards a settlement. But the key for the normalisation of relations between NATO, Russia and Ukraine remains Russia’s recognition of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Sanctions relief in the absence of significant moves would undermine the West’s credibility and risk further destabilisation.
- Book review – “Future NATO: Adapting to New Realities” 30 Jun. 2020 Adaptation, the ability to adjust to new political and military challenges, is what defines NATO. It is the overarching theme of a timely publication from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), edited by John Andreas Olsen, Norway’s Defence Attaché in the United Kingdom. Fifteen authors – diplomats, military officers and think tankers – look at NATO’s agenda from various angles. In ten chapters that range from threats to NATO’s East and South, the maritime dimension, technological challenges and NATO’s partnership approach, they examine current policies and offer a glimpse into the future.
- Exercise Defender-Europe 20: enablement and resilience in action 16 Jun. 2020 Intro: This US-led multinational exercise is the biggest test of NATO Allies’ ability to support large-scale movement of forces across the Atlantic and mainland Europe in recent years. Diverse civilian and military actors have worked closely together to enable the unimpeded deployment of forces by air, sea, road and rail. Lessons learned will further strengthen Allied readiness and resilience in a challenging security environment.
- Nuclear deterrence today 08 Jun. 2020 Why should NATO Allies still care about nuclear deterrence? In the age of increasingly capable conventional munitions, cyber warfare and autonomous robots, are nuclear weapons not just a relic of the Cold War that have now ceased to be relevant? Why are these weapons still deployed on the territory of a peaceful Europe?
- Coronavirus, invisible threats and preparing for resilience 05 May. 2020 The corona virus pandemic is the security scenario we were least prepared for. While nation states are responsible for security, they depend highly upon civilian resources and resilient populations. This is a test for civil-military cooperation and requires a comprehensive approach.

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Jun 28

NATO Secretary General to visit the Italian Republic

NATO IN FOCUS

NATO is a political and military alliance, whose principal task is to ensure the protection of its citizens and to promote security and stability in the North Atlantic area.

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Deterrence and defence

Each NATO member country needs to be resilient to resist and recover from a major shock such as a natural disaster, failure of critical infrastructure, or a hybrid or armed attack.

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Resilience and Article 3

Partnerships: projecting stability through cooperation

The Allies seek to contribute to the efforts of the international community in projecting stability and strengthening security outside NATO territory. One of the means to do so is through cooperation and partnerships.

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Partnerships: projecting stability through cooperation

NATO recognises that it faces many environmental challenges, including the risks posed by climate change. In particular, the Alliance is working to reduce the environmental impact of military activities, to adapt and become more resilient in response to security challenges posed by environmental change.

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Environment – NATO’s stake

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