Header

Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

01st September 2016 19:40:21 Hours

'NATO Member States Seek to Enhance Mutually Beneficial Trade & Economic Security with Asian States,' Comments Former NATO Adviser

Prof. Adrian Kendry (UK), Former NATO Senior Defence Economist and Adviser to the 12th NATO Secretary General in his power point presentation to the first session of the ‘Colombo Defence Seminar - 2016’ chaired by Mr H.M.G.S Palihakkara, Former Governor of the Northern Province and Foreign Secretary touched on the theme, ‘A Spectrum of Power: The Forces of Destiny’ and specified following major perspectives and points.

Here is the summary:

“Power is the cause of an alliance. In the acquisition of allies, one develops strength. Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them” Kautilya (Chanakya) (370-283 BC) Arthashastra ("Economics")

LEGACY, INTERESTS AND POWER

- Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

(George Santayana 1863-1952)

- Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests

(Lord Palmerston (1784-1865)

- Power corrupts:  Absolute power corrupts absolutely 

(Lord Acton 1834-1902)

- The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

(Lord Acton 1834-1902)

A SPECTRUM OF POWER: THE KEY QUESTIONS

What are the elements that comprise a spectrum power? To whom is this power accountable? How is soft and hard power being exercised in the second decade of the 21st Century? How can national and international actors promote cooperative solutions to the free-riding behaviour that undermines the global commons and is inimical to good global economic and political governance? How do the layers of power (individual, local, national, regional and international) interact in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic global environment? What is the role of soft power in strengthening international political and economic leadership? 

A SPECTRUM OF POWER: PROJECTING INFLUENCE

- Cricket, Culture and Music: Influencing the World

- Globalization and the Genesis of Soft Power: Joseph Nye

- Portland and the Soft Power Index

- The Rise of Networks

- The Exponential Importance of Digital Technology

- Trade, Aid and Investment in Education

SOFT POWER AND THE GAINS FROM GLOBALISATION

In 2016, approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty, a reduction of more than 1 billion people since 2001 and less than 10% of the global population, Global economic insecurity threatens to slow the reduction in extreme poverty in the coming decade

THE FORCES OF DESTINY

The Levers of Power

The Composition of Power

The Equilibrium of Power

The Power of Religion

The Challenges to Power

The Memory of Power

Power and Gender

The Layers of Power

GLOBALISATION AND SOFT POWER

- Measuring and Identifying Soft Power

-The Rise of Networks

-The Exponential Importance of Digital Technology

- Foreign Aid and the Education Imperative

GLOBALISATION, ECONOMIC RISKS AND INSTABILITY

Globalization creates economic opportunities; but growing connectivity brings: rising tensions from increasing economic inequality, vulnerable critical infrastructure (banking and financial markets), volatile and rapid very large capital flows, inequality, competition for resources and state and Non-State rivalries

BREXIT AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON BRITAIN’S HARD AND SOFT POWER

The aftermath of the 23 June referendum outcome to leave the European Union after 40 years following the June 5 1975 referendum decision (67%)

THE CORRUPTION OF POWER: USING SOFT POWER TO COUNTER CORRUPTION

Why Nations fail: Poverty, Corruption and Terrorism, Building Integrity

NATO’S VISION OF ECONOMIC AND SOFT SECURITY?

Economic security is a critical dimension of NATO’s priorities with Allies and global partners

The potential disruption to the flow and trade of economic resources, comprising people, goods and strategic commodities, can pose challenges and problems for the security of the Alliance, this is outlined in NATO’s 2010 Strategic Concept

NATO, GLOBAL TRADE AND MARITIME HARD AND SOFT SECURITY

NATO Defence Ministers extended NATO’s counter-piracy mission through 2016, Operation Ocean Shield: protection of one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. 90 per cent of all global trade is maritime with 50% through the Indian Ocean. 20% global oil output (35% tankered oil) through the Straits of Hormuz. NATO counter-piracy efforts help to reduce economic costs of shipping.

NATO’S EVOLVING PARTNERSHIP WITH ASIA

NATO member states seek to enhance mutually beneficial trade and economic security (in energy and other strategic commodities) with Asian States. Maritime security is therefore assuming ever increasing importance in the NATO agenda. Pipelines also hold the key to preserving a delicate balance between political and economic cooperation and competition between NATO and Asian States.

NATO’S EVOLVING PARTNERSHIP WITH ASIA

NATO, Afghanistan and Global Partnerships in Asia. Sharing soft security initiatives in training and education. Enhanced dialogue on disaster relief, humanitarian aid, maritime and cyber security.

THE STRATEGIC VISION: DISPARITY AND DEMOCRATIC DISILLUSIONMENT

Globalization and the accelerating technological revolution bring many economic opportunities. But reinforces growing economic inequality in both developed and developing economies. Conspicuous contraction in traditional employment and employment contracts in the digital economy. Increasingly concentrated power of technologically based multinational corporations.

TRENDS IN GLOBAL DEFENCE SPENDING

China’s defence spending in 2015 exceeded France, Germany and the United Kingdom combined. Russia and China’s defence spending in 2015 greater than that of the European Union. In 2010 constant prices, NATO defence expenditure predicted to have declined from $1.033 trillion in 2010 to $870.6 billion in 2015.