SEATTLE, Washington. This week a conference of NATO and military officials, ambassadors, scholars and leaders in academia and industry convened to engage in critical discussions about the role of the transatlantic Alliance and how to confront challenges of the future.
The event kicked off with a tour of the University of Washington’s Artificial Intelligence lab and wind tunnel, highlighting the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of warfare. This showcase provided attendees with a firsthand look at the innovative work being done in the field and its potential implications for national security.
The Atlantic Council, NATO Allied Command Transformation, and the University of Washington organized and participated in this conference which featured keynote remarks General Chris Badia, NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, and The Honorable Adam Smith, member of the United States House of Representatives.
Additional guest speakers included Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States, and Mr. Jānis Beķeris, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Latvia to the United States.
A panel discussion, titled “Meeting the Moment of Today: Confronting Challenges to the Alliance,” followed the keynote address. This panel featured a distinguished group of experts who discussed the pressing issues facing NATO, and how the Alliance is a champion of a rules-based international order, which helps to secure the United States and promote shared democratic values. The panelists offered insights into how NATO can best address these challenges and safeguard the security of its members, how NATO can contend with increasing cooperation among authoritarian regimes, and what opportunities there are for the Alliance in the Indo-Pacific region.
The event also included a session focused on the future of NATO and the role that technology will play in shaping the Alliance’s capabilities. Experts discussed the importance of investing in emerging technologies, and how domains, like cyber and space, coupled with the looming challenges posed by climate change, require allies and partners to develop sustainable solutions designed for, and by, the next generation of leaders within the Alliance.
In addition to the academic and policy discussions, the summit included a career session aimed at introducing young people to NATO, its mission and values. This session provided students from the University of Washington’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and other academic programmes with an opportunity to learn about NATO and potential career paths within the Alliance. General Badia also engaged with the World Affairs Council in “The Future of NATO – Adapting to the Changing Security Landscape: A Conversation with Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Chris Badia”.
The “NATO and the Future of American Security” event provided a valuable platform for policymakers, military leaders, and academic experts to discuss the pressing challenges facing NATO and chart a path forward. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the event helped to raise awareness of NATO’s mission and foster a new generation of leaders committed to safeguarding the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.
