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Begin New Search Topic International Cooperation Political Geography Africa Content Type Working Paper Publishing Institution NATO Defense College

1. From the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Guinea: A New Maritime Mission for NATO?

Author:
Brooke Smith-Windsor and José Francisco Pavia
Publication Date:
01-2014
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
Later this year, the mandate of one of the most successful NATO maritime missions in history - counterpiracy operations off East Africa in the Gulf of Aden region - will expire. The question presently facing NATO's 28 members states is whether to subsequently retain a presence in a region where the threat is now considerably reduced, or alternatively, refocus resources to where they are conceivably needed more to secure Allied interests. This paper makes the case for judicious consideration of a potential rebalance to Africa's new maritime hotspot: the Gulf of Guinea to the continent's West where threats to regional, Euro-Atlantic and international security and prosperity are on the rise. While recognizing that any decision to realign strategic priorities is ultimately a political one, this paper explains why the factors to justify greater Alliance capacity building (Cooperative Security) in the Gulf of Guinea region already exist in four vital respects: (1) Allied interests at stake; (2) international legitimacy for action; (3) established strategic guidance for the employment of Allied maritime and other means outside NATO territory; (4) relevant Allied operational competencies and expertise.
Topic:
NATO, International Cooperation, International Security, Maritime Commerce, and Reform
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, and Guinea

2. AU-NATO Collaboration: Implications and Prospects

Author:
Brooke Smith-Windsor, J. Shola Omotola, Sally Khalifa Isaac, Adesoji Adeniyi, Bola A. Akinterinwa, James Marcus Bridger, Christopher Coker, Christopher L. Daniels, Solomon Ayele Dersso, Kumbirai Hodzi, Christian Kabati, Markus Kaim, Mehari Taddele Maru; Kay Mathews, Alexander Moens, José Francisco Pavia, Jimmy Peterson, and Kai Schaefer
Publication Date:
02-2013
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
The birth of the African Union (AU) a decade ago coincided with the birth of what has been termed the African Renaissance. This encompasses Africa's resolve to challenge the normative analysis, the stereotypes and the criticisms that the world has imposed on it. It involves a determination to take control of its destiny, to develop authentic solutions, and to stand up and be counted. Fortunately such a development is provided for in Chapter VIII of the United Nations (UN) Charter, and is also acknowledged in Article 12 of the treaty by which the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded - both of which recognize universal as well as regional jurisdictions.
Topic:
NATO, International Cooperation, Treaties and Agreements, and Reform
Political Geography:
Africa

3. NATO and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) security: Prospects for Burden Sharing

Author:
Sally Khalifa Isaac
Publication Date:
03-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
This paper was researched and written before the upheaval in the Arab world. It highlights many aspects of the limitations in NATO's relations with its Arab partners. It argues that the current settings governing NATO-Arab relations feature no concrete cooperation schemes.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, and International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Africa, Middle East, and Arabia