As NATO faces a shifting and evolving strategic landscape, PoC will continue to have political and military relevance for NATO in future operating environments. While much of the work on PoC must take place in a military realm, political and diplomatic perspectives will also be critical in the years ahead. NATO’s PoC policy and supporting documents, as well as progress in implementation over the past five years, are a significant achievement and reinforce the unique values-based nature of the Alliance. NATO has led the way in actual application and demonstrated real-world success. A shifting strategic environment with new priorities should not marginalize the continuing importance of PoC to NATO’s core identity; instead, it should necessitate the reaffirmation and recalibration for a new era. NATO must re-focus political attention on PoC implementation with a specific focus on resourcing and adapting the concept to address new threats.
A Political and Diplomatic Case for Protection of Civilians at NATO • Stimson Center
