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NATO summit

This year’s NATO Summit will be its 25th summit. It is being held in President Obama’s hometown of Chicago, United States, on 20-21 May 2012. The NATO Summit will deliver on decisions that were taken at the Lisbon Summit in November 2010, driving forward key Alliance policies and reaffirming the transatlantic link.

The NATO Summit 2012 will principally focus on three main themes. The Alliance's commitment to Afghanistan through transition and beyond, ensuring that the Alliance has the capabilities it needs to defend its population and territory.

The NATO Summit Chicago will also ensure that the Alliance has the capacity to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. And it will strengthen NATO's network of partners across the globe.

NATO Summit Chicago

NATO is clearly committed to supporting Afghanistan beyond 2014. This is when the gradual transition of responsibility for the security of the country, from ISAF troops to Afghan forces, will be fully implemented. At the NATO Summit 2012, leaders will put forward proposals to make this a reality – a mark of their determination to ensure the country will never again be a base for global terrorism.

A key outcome from the NATO Summit Chicago will be developing “smart defence” in terms of greater prioritisation, specialisation and cooperation, into a long-term capability strategy. This forthcoming NATO Summit 2012 strategy comprises three major components. First of all, a tangible package of multinational projects to address critical capability shortfalls. Secondly, longer-term multinational projects that include missile defence, Alliance Ground Surveillance and air policing. Finally, the NATO Summit will agree strategic projects for 2020, covering areas such as Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling.

NATO Summit 2012

This year’s NATO Summit Chicago will be an opportunity for Allies to broaden their partnership networks and to further deepen international relations at a time when cooperation is no longer considered as a luxury, but a necessity.

23 May 2012

Social media and NATO: it's complicated

The US is the home of social media. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many others were born there. So could social media be the means that brings NATO closer to US people? We asked a number of communications experts what progress they feel has been made - and what more needs to be done.

7 May 2012

NATO Summit 2012: what does it mean to Chicago

NATO Review asked the Governor of State of Ilinois, Pat Quinn, about Chicago's preparations for the NATO's 2012 Summit, how the Alliance is perceived in the city and why Chicago represents the best backdrop for NATO's first Summit in North America this century.

7 May 2012

Mission impossible?

US bloggers, journalists and communications experts reveal how they would try to bring NATO closer to the US public.

7 May 2012

The US: at the heart of NATO since day 1

NATO was created by a treaty signed in Washington, DC in 1949. As NATO returns to the US 63 years later for its Chicago Summit, NATO Review highlights some of the key moments of the shared history of the Alliance and its biggest member.

7 May 2012

Václav Havel: remembering the big little man

Czech Minister of Defence, Alexandr Vondra, remembers one of Europe’s and NATO’s political giants, Václav Havel.

7 May 2012

Inside out: a different perspective

Italian Minister of Defence, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, talks about switching from being at the heart of an international alliance to a minister in a national government.

7 May 2012

Chicago: right city, right time

NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, explains why he feels there is no better place than Chicago for celebrating the bond between North America and Europe.

7 May 2012

How well do you really know NATO?

This 10 question quiz will find out how well you know the Alliance.

7 May 2012

Message from President Obama

US President Barack Obama welcomes NATO to Chicago, his hometown. Here he describes how important the Alliance has been for our common security, our freedom and our prosperity for the past 63 years.

23 April 2012

Mr TransAtlantic

Ivo Daalder, US Ambassador to NATO, has crossed many divides. From being a European to an American, an academic to a diplomat - and more. Here he explains how it’s helped him at NATO

13 April 2011

Come together: Why getting comprehensive matters (Nov 2010)

One of the aims of NATO's Lisbon summit was to seek better coordination between the military and civilian organisations. Why? Because everyone benefits from the outcome.

13 April 2011

NATO's New Strategic Concept: a successful balancing act? (Nov 2010)

NATO's first Strategic Concept for eleven years was often portrayed as a balancing act. For instance, how to balance new threats with old ones? How to accommodate the interests of small countries and big ones? Now that it has been signed, how was the Concept seen?

8 December 2010

Lisbon: the perfect birthplace for NATO's new Strategic Concept?

As some of the world's major leaders arrive in Lisbon to cement NATO's new Strategic Concept, NATO Review looks at how the city might be the perfect location to sign the concept.

25 November 2010

New challenges - new Nato

As the world's challenges and threats have evolved, so has NATO. A new NATO division in the organisation is rarely newsworthy. But this time, it shows real intent to make sure that NATO matches the changing world around it.

25 November 2010

Security and the effects of budgetary constraints

The main worry of the people in NATO countries is about the economy. And it is no different in the heart of NATO. Budgets are tight. Priorities have to be clear. But there are some positives that could come out it. More joined up defence is one of them.

5 April 2009

Two questions, three locations

View the second NATO Review video story on the surroundings of the 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany.

5 April 2009

NATO Review 2009 Summit Update

View the first NATO Review video story on the surroundings of the 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany.

5 April 2009

Third video update: Obama Meeting

View the third NATO Review video story on the surroundings of the 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany.

30 March 2009

NATO Secretary General: a changing job description?

From NATO’s inception until now, the changing role of the Secretary General has been one of the more interesting transformations of the Alliance.

Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

30 March 2009

NATO at 60: the way forward

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO’s Secretary General, speaking before his final NATO Summit, claims that there are three major challenges facing the NATO Alliance.

26 March 2009

NATO's New Strategic Concept: A Parliamentary View

As NATO prepares to draft a new Strategic Concept, Jan Petersen highlights the issues he feels it needs to address.

25 March 2009

NATO: 60 years in photos

Since the birth of NATO 60 years ago, there has been a number of key events in its history. This photostory provides a brief snapshot of some of those moments.

27 March 2008

On the road to the Bucharest Summit

What would the host country of NATO's Summit like to see the event achieve? Romanian President Traian Băsescu highlights the main areas where he hopes progress can be made.

27 March 2008

Rethinking NATO Partnerships for the 21st Century

Ron Asmus argues that NATO's partnerships have to evolve as much, and as quickly, as the security threats they tackle.

27 March 2008

Bucharest: a milestone in NATO’s transformation

Bucharest has four major areas where Bucharest can make a difference, says NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Here he tells NATO Review what they are and why they are so important. And how he sees these issues 'beyond Bucharest'

25 March 2008

From Comprehensive Approach to Comprehensive Capability

Friis Arne Petersen and Hans Binnendijk give a comprehensive description of how to best arrive at a Comprehensive Approach.

18 March 2008

Bucharest: Planning and Partnership for security effect in the 21st Century

What is the best way for NATO to obtain the most strategic effect? Here Julian Lindley-French and James Townsend describe the potential path - and pitfalls - to pursuing optimal effect for NATO. One of the main recommendations is clearer focus.

18 March 2008

Photostory - Bucharest: the making of a Summit

NATO Review's March photostory gives some background facts, figures and behind the scene views on how to make a Summit.

1 January 2007

A firm foundation

General David Richards reflects on his time as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

1 January 2007

History : The 40th anniversary of the Harmel Report

Lawrence S. Kaplan explores the document's origins, impact and long-term significance.

1 January 2007

Opinion : NATO Dispatch: On sausages and Summits

Jonathan Parish invites us into NATO's kitchen, where he shares his recipes for preparing declarations, communiqués and other rhetorical hors d'oeuvres.

1 January 2007

Analysis : A common agenda for homeland security

Michael O'Hanlon considers how strengthened Allied cooperation could enhance homeland security on both sides of the Atlantic

1 January 2007

The Comprehensive Political Guidance: A primer

Paul Savereux examines a keystone document recently made public. Amid the Riga Summit fanfare came the news that NATO Heads of State and Government had endorsed a document entitled “Comprehensive Political Guidance” and had agreed to make it public.

1 January 2007

Interview : General Ray Henault, Chairman of the Military Committee

As Chairman of the Military Committee, Canadian Forces General Ray Henault provides military advice to the North Atlantic Council on behalf of the NATO Chiefs of Defence Staff and oversees the military implementation of decisions made by the Council, the Alliance’s highest decision-making body.

1 January 2007

Debate

Should NATO play a major role in energy security? Gal Luft vs. Christophe Paillard

1 December 2006

General James L. Jones, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

1 December 2006

Reflections on the Riga Summit

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer outlines the issues to be discussed in the Latvian capital.

1 December 2006

Reflecting in Riga

Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga looks forward to the NATO Summit in Riga.

1 December 2006

NATO’s mission in Afghanistan: Putting theory in practice

Victoria Nuland explains how the practical demands of NATO operations in Afghanistan have pushed the Alliance beyond its theoretical limitations.

1 December 2006

Where’s NATO headed?

Pierre Lellouche offers his thoughts ahead of the Riga Summit.

1 December 2006

The enduring influence of operations in NATO’s transformation

Diego A. Ruiz Palmer considers the ever-closer relationship between NATO's operations and the Alliance's transformation since the end of the Cold War.

1 December 2006

New challenges, tough choices

Sophia Clément-Noguier explores the important questions that will face Allied decision-makers at the Riga Summit.

1 December 2006

Riga and beyond: The political transformation of NATO

Allen G. Sens argues that NATO's transformation must be broader than is currently conceived if the Alliance is to meet the security challenges of tomorrow.

1 December 2006

NATO Dispatch: Kabul

While the Alliance is taking the fight to the Taliban, a downrange visit by James Snyder reveals the progress being made behind the front lines.

1 September 2004

Helping stabilise Iraq

Daniel Speckhard explains how NATO has set about training Iraqi security forces.

1 August 2004

Towards a new transatlantic consensus

Gülnur Aybet places the Istanbul Summit in its historical context, examines its contents and assesses its significance.

1 August 2004

Opening to the Mediterranean and broader Middle East

Nicola de Santis describes how NATO is forging cooperative relations with the Mediterranean and broader Middle East.

1 August 2004

Refining NATO's role in combating terrorism

C. Richard Nelson analyses NATO's contribution to the fight against terrorism and suggests how it might be enhanced.

1 August 2004

The dawning of a new security era?

Lionel Ponsard examines the significance for the European Union and NATO relations of the termination of SFOR and deployment of EUFOR.

1 August 2004

Manfred Wörner: NATO visionary

Ryan C. Hendrickson assesses the legacy of Manfred Wörner, NATO's seventh Secretary General, ten years after his death.

1 August 2004

Combating terrorism through technology

Marshall Billingslea examines how NATO is developing technology to counter increasingly sophisticated terrorism.

1 August 2004

NATO enlargement, partnerships and strategic relationships

1 August 2004

NATO 101

Stefan Melnik reviews an Alliance primer.

1 August 2004

General Py: ISAF Commander

General Jean-Louis Py has been Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since the deployment of the Eurocorps in Afghanistan in August 2004.

1 April 2004

NATO's evolving operations

Adam Kobieracki examines the evolution of NATO's operations and considers prospects for future deployments.

1 April 2004

NATO enlargement, partnerships and strategic relationships

1 April 2004

Anticipating Istanbul

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer outlines areas of special focus for the Alliance's Istanbul Summit and considers the way forward for NATO.

1 April 2004

Right time, right place

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sets out his vision for both NATO and Turkey on the eve of the Alliance's Istanbul Summit.

1 April 2004

The meaning of enlargement

Tomás Valásek examines the impact of both EU and NATO enlargement on security thinking in Europe.

1 April 2004

Admiral Giambastiani: SACT

Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani is NATO's first Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) as well as Commander of the US Joint Forces Command, both of which are headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia.

1 April 2004

A wider Atlantic?

Jamie Shea examines and summarises policy recommendations for improving transatlantic relations contained in recent think-tank publications.

1 April 2004

The way forward in Afghanistan

Hikmet Çetin analyses the evolution of NATO's engagement in Afghanistan and the importance of elections to the country's future.

1 April 2004

Great expectations

Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier examines the challenges facing both Afghanistan and NATO in the run-up to elections.

1 April 2004

Burying the hatchet

Pavle Janković and Srdjan Gligorijević analyse Serbia and Montenegro’s relationship with NATO and urge the Alliance to admit their country into the Partnership for Peace.

1 April 2004

Marrying capabilities to commitments

John Colston examines how the Alliance is improving its military capabilities to meet the demands of its ever-increasing operations.

1 March 2003

General James L. Jones: SACEUR

General James L. Jones is the first Marine to be appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander of US Forces, Europe. He succeeded General Joseph W. Ralston on 17 January this year and is the 14th SACEUR.

1 March 2003

Transforming NATO

Lord Robertson examines the significance of the Prague Summit and considers the challenges ahead.

1 March 2003

Combating terrorism

Christopher Bennett analyses how the Alliance has refined its contribution to the war on terrorism and compares the current debate on NATO reform with that of a decade earlier.

1 March 2003

Working with Partners to fight terrorism

Osman Yavuzalp describes how NATO members and Partner countries will be working together to combat terrorism.

1 March 2003

Enhancing NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue

Alberto Bin examines how the Alliance's Mediterranean Dialogue has been upgraded at the Prague Summit and considers its future evolution.

1 March 2003

Unfinished business

Christopher Bennett reviews literature examining military reform in the seven countries invited to join NATO at the Prague Summit.

1 March 2003

Romania's challenge

Adrian Pop examines the challenge facing Romania for the country to become an effective contributor to the Alliance.

1 March 2003

Preparing for membership

Karel Kovanda considers how the Czech experience of NATO accession may be useful for the seven countries invited to join the Alliance at the Prague Summit.