Manama: NATO has reaffirmed its commitment to counterterrorism as a central pillar of its security strategy, with new developments highlighting the Alliance's evolving approach to addressing asymmetric threats. Speaking at a background briefing, a senior NATO official outlined key initiatives aimed at bolstering awareness, capabilities, and engagement in the fight against terrorism.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the official emphasized that NATO's Strategic Concept identifies terrorism as one of the two primary threats to the Alliance's security. However, counterterrorism remains primarily a national responsibility, with NATO's role defined by principles of complementarity and non-duplication. He explained that there was focus on areas where NATO has expertise, providing security answers while leaving broader ideological or societal issues to other actors.
Recent developments include the appointment of the Assistant Secretary General for Operations as the Secretary General's Special Coordinator for Counterterrorism on 1 January 2024. This newly created position aims to unify NATO's counterterrorism efforts and strengthen external engagement. Additionally, updated Counterterrorism Policy Guidelines were approved at the Washington Summit in 2024, focusing on three pillars: awareness, capability development, and engagement.
The briefing highlighted NATO's focus on emerging threats such as weaponised drones and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. He said the approach is threat-based rather than actor-based.
The official also discussed NATO's collaboration with partners under the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), including training programmes at its Regional Centre in Kuwait. These initiatives aim to address regional concerns such as maritime security and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.
While counterterrorism was not a central focus of the recently concluded NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels, discussions touched on related security priorities. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to addressing asymmetric threats and enhancing defence capabilities to protect critical infrastructure and cyberspace from potential attacks. The meeting also emphasised strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations and continuing support for Ukraine.
As terrorism continues to evolve with technological advancements and geopolitical complexities, NATO's updated strategy reflects its adaptability in safeguarding collective security while addressing emerging challenges. These efforts signal a significant step in the Alliance's ongoing work to combat asymmetric threats effectively.