NATO intelligence chiefs meet in Brussels

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met the heads of civilian and military intelligence services from all 32 Allies in Brussels on Wednesday, as the Alliance’s Civilian Intelligence Committee, Military Intelligence Committee and joint plenary convened for their annual meetings.

According to NATO’s account, the sessions gathered senior intelligence leaders for strategic discussions on current and emerging security issues, as well as exchanges with NATO partners.

Rutte told the assembled officials “We would not be able to counter the ever-growing and more sophisticated threats that we face as an Alliance without the contribution of Allied intelligence services,” adding that “Intelligence has a critical role to play in informing our defence plans, raising awareness of the capabilities of our adversaries, and continuing our aid to Ukraine.”

Agenda items covered Russia’s war against Ukraine, Moscow’s ties with China, North Korea, Belarus and Iran, and the future of NATO intelligence, including how Allies intend to incorporate emerging and disruptive technologies into their systems. Rutte argued that the war has demonstrated the wider reach of security challenges, stating “The conflict in Ukraine clearly demonstrates that our security is not regional, but global, and this underscores the importance of intelligence.” NATO says intelligence sharing among Allies is now faster, broader and more robust than at any previous point.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, emphasised the multidimensional nature of current threats. He said “I am consistently impressed by the depth, breadth, and quality of NATO intelligence. It all has impact and relevance to the Military Committee, our leaders, and to our staff so that we can navigate our current security environment.”