On Wednesday 12 December 2007, the IISS and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) will co-host a panel discussion on the theme of "Energy Security: What Role for NATO?” from 6-8 pm.
Moderated by David Buchan, Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and former Energy Editor at the Financial Times, the panel will include:
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Knut Kirste - NATO Public Diplomacy Division
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Robert Whalley - Consulting Senior Fellow at the IISS and former Director for Counter Terrorism and Intelligence at the Home Office
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John F. Imle Jr - Senior Advisor to the Chairman of Vanco Energy and former Vice Chairman of Unocal Corporation
Whether it is the protection of physical infrastructure, awkward relations with provider states, the environmental consequences of utilising hydrocarbons, to the question of whether nuclear proliferation can be permitted to help nations wean themselves off fossil fuels; the questions raised under the broad heading of "Energy Security" are many and multifaceted. However, where does NATO fit into this spectrum? Should NATO have a role in this field at all?
The discussion will explore the needs of NATO member states and businesses and examine where the threats lie and what can be done about them. Should, for example, NATO make a contribution in the field of maritime situational awareness or should NATO vessels patrol extensively around choke points, or should the alliance go further and think about actively protecting infrastructure, be it pipelines, nuclear power stations, refineries, or storage points? The issue of energy security will continue to be a major one for the near and long-term future, and is likely to be an underlying theme in international relations as NATO continues to adapt.
This meeting will take place on the Fifth Floor at Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2R 3DX.
There will be a reception from 6-6.30 pm, with the event starting promptly at 6.30 pm. Space is limited for this event.
If you would like to attend this meeting, please RSVP Raffaello Pantucci on pantucci@iiss.org
