Policy Notes: NATO’s Role in Counter-Terrorism

NATO’s contribution to the global approach to Counter Terrorism was expressed publically in the NATO Policy Guidelines on Counter Terrorism endorsed at the 2012 NATO summit. The evolution of NATO’s approach is described and NATO’s current contribution is detailed, including recent examples of activities that reflect progress against the Counter Terrorism Policy Guidelines. Looking ahead, beyond agreed roles for NATO, the Alliance’s relevance to work against Foreign Terrorist Fighters and to Countering Violent Extremism is examined. Finally, new ways are suggested to assist the UN and use NATO’s existing assets more flexibly in the field of Counter Terrorism. Adoption of these would, however, require a change in Allies’ ambition for the use of NATO in Counter Terrorism and hence a change in mandate.