GLOBSEC at Warsaw NATO Summit 2016

Warsaw Summit Experts' Forum (WSEF2016) will be held on the margins of the NATO Summit on 7–9 July 2016. Organised by the Polish Institute for International Affairs (PISM) and co-organised by GLOBSEC, the conference will be an integral part of the NATO Summit. The participants will be top experts and key officials from NATO and its member states, including Heads of State and Government and the NATO Secretary General. The Forum will explore the issues form the Summit agenda, look  beyond 2016 and debate the future of the Alliance as the pillar of transatlantic security.

In close cooperation with our partners, GLOBSEC is driving the following sessions:

NIGHT OWL SESSION: FIGHTING TERROR: REFORMING EUROPE’S INTELLIGENCE INFRASTRUCTURE (VENUE: HOTEL DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON)

8 July 2016, Friday, 20:30 - 22:00

The integrity of Europe’s security architecture is at risk. Terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, as well as other ongoing terrorist alerts across the continent, have exposed major loopholes in this architecture. More specifically, they have challenged the ability of European intelligence agencies to effectively collect, analyse and disseminate data on what appears to be a robust and well organised terrorist network operating across Europe. Although terrorism is not new to the old continent, the recent surge in such threats across Europe clearly shows that European countries are in need of adopting a new counterterrorism strategy. Twentieth century means, technology and structures are insufficient when it comes to effectively countering this phenomenon. What tactical and operational improvements must Europe adopt in order to impede another major terrorist attack? How do we improve intelligence collection and sharing in an environment where there is lack of trust and intelligence cultures differ significantly? Do we need to set up a pan-European spy agency to fight terrorism? Or should we build and coordinate European capabilities from bottom-up? What can Europe learn from other counterterrorism models around the world and where is the line between security and privacy in this new age of terror?

Speakers:

• Mr. Kjetil Anders Hatlebrekke, Associate Professor, The Norwegian Defence Intelligence School; Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Department of War Studies, King’s College (confirmed)
• H.E. Mr. Michael Chertoff, Chairman and Co-Founder, The Chertoff Group, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (confirmed)
• Mr. Jean Baptiste-Carpentier, Head, Strategic Intelligence and Economic Security Unit (TBC)
• Mr. John Frank, Vice President, European Union Government Affairs, Microsoft (confirmed)
• Led by:   Mr. Nik Gowing, International Broadcaster (confirmed)

NIGHT OWL SESSION: ARE WE GIVING UP ON THE INFORMATION FRONT? (VENUE: HOTEL DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON)

8 July 2016, Friday, 20:30 - 22:00

Faced with a centralised, well-funded propaganda machine, the West has so far failed to respond effectively to the information war stemming from both Russia and Daesh. Promoting conspiracy theories has been a particularly persuasive weapon to exploit and foster national passivity in the entire region. How should the West and particularly NATO counter this hybrid warfare-type information offensive and attacks on the founding principle of democracy? What steps should the West take not only to resist propaganda and fraudulent news but also to actively restore belief in transatlantic values, freedom and truth?

Speakers:

• Dr. John Lenczowski, President, The Institute of World Politics (confirmed)
• Amb. Tacan Ildem, Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO (confirmed)
• Amb. Rastislav Káčer, Honorary Chairman, GLOBSEC (confirmed)
• Ms. Jessikka Aro, Investigative Reporter, YLE Kioski, Helsinki (confirmed)
• Led by:  Edward Lucas, Senior Vice-President, Centre for European Policy Analysis (confirmed)

CLOSING PANEL: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? NATO AFTER WARSAW

9 July 2016, Saturday, 17:30 - 18:45

The security environment has deteriorated considerably and the NATO Warsaw Summit will be a milestone in the adaptation process. NATO needs to rebuild its deterrence and defence capabilities in order to respond to an increasingly antagonistic Russia and the challenges coming from the South. The list of threats is long and includes cyberattacks, an ongoing information war, a lack of public support and underfunding. What will the NATO Summit’s key outcome be? What will Alliance’s forward presence be like? Do we need to rethink NATO’s Strategic Concept (NSC) and Deterrence and Defence Posture Review (DDPR)? Should the Nuclear Strategy be updated?

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General, NATO (confirmed)
• Dr. Sławomir Dębski, Director, Polish Institute of International Affairs (confirmed)
• Gen. John Allen (USMC, Ret.), Former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Global Coalition to Counter ISIL (confirmed)
• Led by: Mr.Steve Clemons, Washington Editor at Large, The Atlantic (confirmed)

 

For more information, please visit the main website of the Warsaw Summit Experts' Forum.

Livestream will be available on 8-9 July.