Analysis of the guidelines concerning crisis management in NATO:s new strategic concept

NATO's effort to produce a new strategic concept was launched in September 2009 when the group of experts, appointed by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, began their work. The idea behind the group of experts was that they would do the preparatory work before adopting the Alliance's new strategic concept. The focus of the so-called Albright-report was that NATO must transform their forces and capabilities to better meet the "new threats" and challenges that NATO faces in comprehensive crisis management operations. The report also highlighted the need for close collaboration with partners and other organizations, primarily the UN and the EU. NATO's new strategic concept, adopted November 19, 2010, will provide guidance for NATO during the next decade. The new strategic concept follows the Albright report closely. In regard to crisis management emphasis is placed on deepening and widening of the different partnerships, multi-national capability development and the transformation of NATO's military forces. For Sweden, the most important issues in the new strategic concepts are the expanded opportunities for partner countries to conduct consultations under Article 4 of the NATO charter, multi-national capability development, and greater transparency and participation in NATO decision-making.