Later this week, representatives of NATO member states are scheduled to meet in Lisbon, Portugal, where they will adopt a new strategic concept – the first since 1999.
On October 8th, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen spelled out the direction of the new framework document. As overarching security concerns have shifted significantly for the North Atlantic alliance since 1999, a number of key issues are currently being addressed according to the official NATO press release:
First, (NATO) needs to modernize its defence and deterrence capability, for example in cyberspace and missile defence.
Second it needs to update its crisis management through a comprehensive approach, “where political, civilian and military efforts are coordinated, and work towards common aims. Where (…) the military and civilian actors plan together, operate in complementary ways, and support each other.”
Third, NATO needs to “develop deeper, wider political and practical partnerships with countries around the globe” to build cooperative security.
Based upon the findings of a panel of experts chaired by ex-U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, the new strategic concept is on track to be adopted on the 19th and 20th of November at the upcoming Lisbon Summit.
