Supervisors info:
Δρ. Λέκκας Ευθύμιος, Καθηγητής Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Δρ. Μπλαβούκος Σπυρίδων, Αν. Καθηγητής Ο.Π.Α.
Δρ. Αντωναράκου Ασημίνα, Επίκ. Καθηγήτρια Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Summary:
During a period in which states and continents are declaring a state of emergency, either because of natural disasters or the economic crisis and the ensuing socio-political crisis or because of events caused by geopolitical interests that disrupt the balance in the international arena, there is a great need for each NATO member state to maintain its resilience in the midst of these difficult times. Resilience is the ability of society to withstand potential technological, ecological, economic or even terrorist attacks, to recover rapidly after periods of crisis, taking advantage of its potential on a case-by-case basis, such as reaction readiness and military power. Resilience combined with political planning and effective co-operation between allied countries is an essential component of NATO's collective security and defense. The principle of resilience is enshrined in Article 3 of the Founding Treaty of the Alliance, according to which, in order to achieve the Alliance's objectives more effectively, the Contracting Parties, individually and jointly, with continuous and effective self-help and mutual assistance, shall maintain and develop their individual and collective ability to withstand armed attack.
Crisis management has always been a fundamental tool of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for maintaining security. The way NATO responds to a crisis, and the means it uses, is not always the same and is tailored to the needs and nature of the threat.
NATO, by its very nature and mission, embodies the transatlantic link by which North American security is linked to Europe's security. It is an intergovernmental organization and alliance, through which members can consult on any issue they may choose to raise and make decisions on political and military issues affecting their security. No Member State is obliged to rely solely on its national capacity to fulfill its basic national security objectives. The resulting sense of shared security among the members contributes to stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.
The main purpose of NATO's existence since its establishment on April 4, 1949, is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through the use of political, diplomatic, and military means if necessary, as stated in its founding statute. The early decades of NATO’s establishment, are characterized by an uncontrolled rally of military equipment. With the change in the global political landscape and the emergence of new threats, as we shall examine below, it was considered necessary to look for new tools/methods for dealing with threats. As there are now more options and methods of crisis management, the use of purely military means to deal with threats and protect members of the alliance is only decided if necessary and this is done when other means have failed.
Today's security environment is unpredictable. Threats can come from state and non-state actors, including terrorism, cyber-attacks and hybrid warfare, which flatten the distinctive lines between conventional and non-conventional forms of conflict. They can also come from natural disasters, such as floods, fires and earthquakes. The dangers inherent in a rapidly changing environment require increased ability to perceive even the most complex situations, the full readiness of forces and the immediate and strong response if needed.
The purpose of this study is to highlight the ways in which NATO ensures the resilience and readiness of Western societies and their evolution over the decades. The first chapter will refer to the establishment of NATO, as well as a breakdown of how threats were dealt during the first decades of NATO's establishment, comparing the “old” bipolar world system where there was one threat to the current system of multiple poles of influence and power.
The second chapter will attempt to analyze NATO's strategic doctrine. The goal is the reader to understand, what were the key events that led NATO to revise its strategic concept up to the latest concept of 2010. Further on we will refer to the key axes that determine NATO's decision-making, which addresses the appropriate threats management, including those to come. In addition, the function of these axes will be examined for what is the range of threats to which they are required to respond and what responsibilities they create for members of the alliance.
In the third chapter, we will try to describe the most important actions of the alliance. The missions to be studied confirm both the change in NATO's strategic thinking after 1991 and on the other hand show the axes on which NATO operates. The right way to deal with crises has played a key role in the success of the stabilization missions involved in NATO, in cooperation with other states and international organizations. It will also examine the benefits that countries receive through their crisis management processes and illuminate the ways in which the resilience and preparedness of NATO members are enhanced.
Keywords:
Resilience, NATO, Preparedness, Crisis management, Alliance, Security
