Today, NATO is confronted with many security threats at once, both inside and outside Europe, from the East, the South, as well as in the North. As great as the challenges on the Alliance’s eastern and southern flanks remain, North Atlantic security – long part of NATO calculus but rarely at the forefront – has become revitalized.
Vital global communication linkages and supply routes between Europe and North America run along the North Atlantic, and as Arctic ice recedes, new military and civilian activity in the region will only increase. Against this backdrop, Russia is substantially improving its capability to operate in the North Atlantic – to project military power into the Atlantic Ocean and Europe’s littoral.
NATO’s presence in the North Atlantic has been gradually reduced over the last decades. Russian actions and recent military trends are worrying as it may shift the strategic balance in its favour. This may also oppose Russia-NATO relations, linking directly with the challenges in the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea (or region).
What should Norway and NATO’s priorities be after the 2016 Warsaw Summit? What kind of command and control is necessary to support the alliance’s maritime strategy and situational awareness? How can Norway and NATO strengthen Alliance deterrence and defence in the region? What can be done to reduce risk and prevent military incidents with Russia? What strategy does NATO need in the North Atlantic for the next summit in 2018?
This open event will describe the issues at stake and explore policy responses. Please join us for what promises to be a lively discussion.
