054 DSCTC 12 E - MATCHING CAPABILITIES TO AMBITIONS: NATO TOWARDS 2020

At the Lisbon Summit in 2010, NATO Allies defined the Alliance’s role and missions for the next decade. At the Chicago Summit, they will have to decide what resources they are prepared to provide for the Alliance to fulfill these roles. These discussions will take place amid unprecedented budgetary constraints connected to the tough economic climate, and increased calls for fairer burdensharing between both sides of theAtlantic. 

While NATO’s enduring core purpose remains collective defence, it has increasingly focused on crisis management and the projection of democratic stability, from the Western Balkans to Kabul and Tripoli. In order for NATO to continue to project security and stability beyond its borders when needed and appropriate, it will need to move beyond a minimalist approach to adaptation and reform, and make the “Smart Defence” concept a reality. Increased security cooperation among European allies specifically has never been more important. But decisions on capabilities should not happen in isolation; they need to be reconnected with the broader political debate on the Alliance’s role in 21^st century security.

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