In general, the Defence and Security Committee (DSC) examines ongoing operations, partnerships and programmes to find how NATO can continually improve its effectiveness as an Alliance. 

Within this broad mandate the DSC may focus in particular on the following:

-Military effectiveness
-Interoperability
-Defence transformation
-Defence budgets
-Organization of NATO military structure
-Operational relations with other international organizations, particularly the European Union.
-Progress of candidate and partner countries in meeting standards for integration into NATO operations and partnerships.