The Director General of the International Military Staff briefs NATO Defence College students

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On 28 September 2026, the Director General of the International Military Staff (DGIMS), Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas, welcomed NATO Defence College students at NATO Headquarters.

Senior Course and Regional Cooperation Course participants spent a day analysing and discussing defence and cooperative security priorities in a turbulent security environment, NATO burden shifting, strategic imperatives for the Alliance after the Ankara Summit, and contemporary challenges for the Alliance.

Professional briefers from the NATO International Staff and International Military Staff brought wide and strategic perspectives for the participants.

“The International Military Staff serves as the vital intermediary between the NATO Military Committee and two strategic commands. Its primary responsibilities include: processing information and directing guidance to strategic commands; building consensus to reach agreement among various NATO nations; and providing high-level military strategic advice to the North Atlantic Council,” said Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas.

He also emphasised that the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) is working to ensure a 360-degree approach to military decision-making and maintains oversight across a vast array of military domains. This includes land, cyber, digital, as well as joint air and space operations.

Finally, he outlined that in order to manage these complex areas, the staff relies on experts sent by nations to serve in the IMS, and the expertise of Strategic Commands.

The Director General is the head of the International Military Staff. The IMS consists of approximately 500 military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

The DGIMS is responsible to the Military Committee for the efficient and effective functioning of the IMS. The position is empowered to act on behalf of the Military Committee on routine matters, and, in case of urgency, to take executive action on its behalf within its established policies.