ABCD 2010
Speech by HE Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republic of Estonia
Opening session
Introductory remarks by Anthony Lawrence, Senior Researcher, ICDS, Estonia
Welcome speech by Dr. Jaak Aaviksoo, Minister of Defence, Estonia
Keynote speech by Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former NATO Secretary General
Session 1
Deterrence today and tomorrow: can it still deliver security and stability?
Can deterrence with nuclear, conventional and non military means directed toward state or non-state actors be an effective strategy in today’s complex and dynamic global security environment?
| Panellists: | Shlomo Brom, Brigadier General (ret.) / IDF, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for National Security Studies, Israel Riho Terras, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Estonia Dr. Bruno Tertrais, Senior Research Fellow, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, France Dr. Stephen E. Wright, Colonel (ret.) / USAF, Professor, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air University, USA |
| Moderator: | Dr. James H. Anderson, Professor of International and Security Studies, G. C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies, USA |
Session 2
The dilemmas of credibility: can NATO reconcile them?
A discussion on policy implications: how should NATO adjust its deterrent posture so that it is credible, yet supports stability and does not invite aggressive confrontational responses or close avenues for constructive cooperation with important strategic players?
| Panellists: | Marshall S. Billingslea, former NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, USA Stefan Czmur, Brigadier General / Polish Army, Minister’s Councellor on Military Aspects of the CFSP, Department of Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland Jüri Luik, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to NATO, Estonia Roger N. McDermott, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Kent, and Senior Fellow in Eurasian Military Studies, Jamestown Foundation, UK |
| Moderator: | Sven Sakkov, Undersecretary for Defence Policy, Ministry of Defence, Estonia |
Session 3
Assurance for small allies: how can it succeed or fail?
A discussion centred on the assurance aspect of deterrence, using a small state at the borders of Europe as a practical illustration: how does the asymmetry of stakes, power and interests of small and big countries influence the policies of a small country, its sense of vulnerability and chances of a false sense of security?
| Panellists: | Jørgen Berggrav, Rear Admiral / Norwegian Navy, National Military Representative to SACEUR for Norway Sven Mikser, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament (Riigikogu), Estonia Paul G. Schafer, Major General / USAF, Director for Strategy, Policy & Assessments, European Command, USA |
| Moderator: | Janne Kuusela, Defence Policy Advisor, Defence Policy Department, Ministry of Defence, Finland |
Closing remarks by Sven Sakkov, Undersecretary for Defence Policy, Ministry of Defence, Estonia
Please note that, in order to encourage candid exchange of views, the conference is held under the Chatham House Rule: “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”