Strategic war in europe manual
After the withdrawal of France from the integrated military structure in 1966, it was decided that responsibility for all defence matters in which France did not participate was given to the DPC, of which France was not a member. Issued in 1968, MC 14/3 was adopted by the then Defence Planning Committee (DPC), which had the same authority as the NAC in its area of responsibility. Of the seven Strategic Concepts issued by NATO since 1949, all were approved by the NAC, with the exception of MC 14/3. The North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the authority in charge of adopting the Alliance’s strategic documents the most recent Strategic Concepts have been adopted at NAC meetings at the level of Heads of State and Government during a NATO Summit. Over time and since 1949, the decision-making process with regard to the Strategic Concept has evolved, but a constant feature is that they have always been adopted by Allies on the basis of consensus. Additionally, it affirms that NATO will continue its reform and transformation process. It will do this by reinforcing arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, emphasising NATO’s open door policy for all European countries, and significantly enhancing its partnerships in the broad sense of the term.
The Strategic Concept also affirms how NATO aims to promote international security through cooperation. These threats include, for instance, the proliferation of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, terrorism, cyber attacks and fundamental environmental problems. The document then describes the 2010 security environment and identifies the capabilities and policies needed to ensure that NATO’s deterrence and defence, as well as crisis management abilities, are equipped to face today’s threats. It also emphasises Alliance solidarity, the importance of transatlantic consultation and the need to engage in a continuous process of reform. The 2010 Strategic Concept “Active Engagement, Modern Defence” is a very clear and resolute statement on NATO’s core tasks and principles, its values, the evolving security environment and the Alliance’s strategic objectives.Īfter having described NATO as “ a unique community of values committed to the principles of individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law”, it presents NATO’s three essential core tasks - collective defence, crisis management and cooperative security.