Definition

Allied Command Operations (ACO) within NATO is responsible for planning and executing all Alliance military operations. It is headed by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and operates at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. At SHAPE in Mons, Belgium, ACO works to maintain Alliance territory integrity, safeguard maritime routes, and ensure member state security. Additionally, ACO cooperates with Allied Command Transformation to ensure NATO’s capabilities remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world. In times of crisis, ACO coordinates joint and combined forces for military operations across multiple levels of command.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52091.htm

Key words

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) / Strategic planning / Military operations

Definition

Allied Command Operations CIMIC Functional Planning Guide describes the process through which CIMIC contributes to the NATO Operations Planning Process (OPP) for all types of NATO operations. It includes CIMIC contribution to operations planning at the strategic and operational levels. The CFPG is not a standalone guide and should, therefore, be read in conjunction with the references and incorporated into HQ Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Standing Operating Instructions (SOIs).

Source

CIMIC Handbook

Key words

CIMIC Contribution

Definition

“Allied Joint Doctrine for Civil-Military Cooperation provides commanders and staff with the principles and general guidance necessary to plan and conduct CIMIC in joint operations.”
(NATO agreed)

Source

STANAG2503

CCOE Webpage

Key words

Civil-Military Cooperation

Definition

BI Strategic Command
The Bilateral Strategic Command – or Bi-SC – concept within NATO represents a crucial commitment to collaboration between the Alliance’s two senior strategic commands: Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation. This dynamic partnership serves as the cornerstone for fostering joint initiatives, enhancing interoperability, and solidifying NATO’s core tasks of collective defence, crisis management, and cooperative security.

Source

SHAPE

Key words

NATO Strategic Partnership / Allied Command Operations / Allied Command Transformation

Definition

Children are impacted by armed conflict in various ways, including being killed, recruited as soldiers, sexually exploited, abducted, their schools and hospitals attacked, and humanitarian services denied. NATO Leaders have adopted practical measures to address violations against children in war zones, integrating UN resolutions into operational activities. These include appointing focal points for Children and Armed Conflict to maintain dialogue with the UN. NATO’s commitment to implementing UN resolutions on child protection led to developing a policy that includes training troops to recognise and report violations, incorporating child protection into exercises, and collaborating with the UN throughout missions.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm#children

Key words

Children / Armed Conflict / Violations / Recruitment / Sexual Exploitation / Abduction / Schools and Hospitals / Humanitarian Services / UN Resolutions / Child Protection

Definition

Civil factor integration involves incorporating civilian expertise and considerations into military operations to enhance resilience against complex challenges. It also encompasses the identification, analysis, and assessment of civil factors of the operating environment. One of the facilitators for this integration is the Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence in The Hague, which provides education, training, and guidance on civil-military cooperation scenarios. The Centre’s efforts include developing training programmes, contributing to doctrine development, and organising conferences to promote interoperability among NATO members and partners.

Source

https://www.act.nato.int/article/cimic-coe-shapes-resilience-unity-amidst-complex-challenges/

Key words

Civil-military cooperation / Operating environment analysis / Interoperability promotion

Definition

Civil Preparedness within NATO is the national and collective capacity to prepare for, resist, respond to, and recover from strategic shocks and disruptions. It involves military and civilian capabilities that maintain Alliance-wide risk reduction and defence readiness. Civil preparedness is crucial in ensuring security, stability, and the ability to continue operations in the face of disruptions and threats. It is a key component of NATO’s overall resilience strategy, which focuses on the ability of Allies to withstand and recover from various challenges and adversities across all levels.

Civil Preparedness has three core functions:

• continuity of government,
• continuity of essential services to the population and
• civil support to military operations.

 These critical specifications have been translated into seven Baseline Requirements for national resilience against which Allies can measure their levels of preparedness.

Source

https://www.act.nato.int/article/resilience-and-civil-preparedness-in-nato/

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_132722.htm

Key words

Strategic shocks / Resilience strategy / Baseline Requirements

Definition

Civil-military Cooperation (CIMIC) is “a military joint function that integrates the understanding of the civil factors of the operating environment and that enables, facilitates, and conducts civil-military interaction to support the accomplishment of missions and military strategic objectives in peacetime, crisis, and conflict.” (NATO agreed)

Source

Civil-Military Cooperation Analysis and Assessment Concept, Annex J, p. 155

NATO Term

 Key words

Joint Function / Mission Support / Strategic objectives

Definition

CMI is one of the two core activities of CIMIC.

CMI is defined as “activities between military NATO bodies and non-military actors to foster mutual understanding that enhance effectiveness and efficiency in crisis management and conflict prevention and resolution.”

 CMI includes outreach, engagement with non-military actors, civil-military liaisons (platforms or liaison officers), consultation, and collaboration. None of the activities is isolated; they are connected to each other and represent a certain stage of interaction with actors.

Source

AJP3.19

Key words

Non-military actors / Crisis management / Conflict prevention

Definition

Climate change acts as a threat multiplier within NATO, exacerbating environmental challenges and impacting security, operations, and missions, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and displacement of populations. The Alliance has recognised the implications of climate change on its activities and has integrated climate considerations into various aspects such as resilience, disaster response, energy efficiency, infrastructure adaptation, and capability delivery. NATO also conducts annual assessments on the impact of climate change on security and has developed a methodology to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from military activities. Establishing a NATO Centre of Excellence for Climate Change and Security in Montreal, Canada, alongside ongoing research through the NATO Science and Technology Organization, demonstrates the Alliance’s commitment to understanding and addressing the security implications of climate change.

Connection to CIMIC:

Climate change is intricately linked to future foresight as it presents a complex and pressing challenge that will significantly impact various aspects of the future operating environment, including CIMIC. By understanding and anticipating the potential consequences of climate change, CIMIC can better prepare for and mitigate its effects. Incorporating climate change into future foresight efforts enables NATO to create more resilient and sustainable strategies to address the interconnected challenges of the changing world. It is crucial for policymakers, planners, and stakeholders to consider the implications of climate change in their long-term planning and decision-making processes to ensure a more secure and sustainable future for all.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_91048.htm

Key words

Climate Change / Environmental Challenges / Security Implications / Resilience Building / Disaster Response / Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Climate Adaptation / Centre of Excellence / Future Foresight / Sustainability Planning

Definition

Co-existence in the context of joint military function refers to the ability of different military forces, entities, or components to operate together in the same area or environment while respecting each other’s presence, capabilities, and responsibilities, ultimately contributing to a unified and effective mission accomplishment.

Source

U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Publication 3-0, Joint Operations

Key words

Interoperability / Mutual respect / Collaborative engagement

Definition

Trafficking in human beings is a global phenomenon that targets vulnerable individuals and impacts nearly every country. It is particularly prevalent in war-torn and crisis areas, leading to increased vulnerabilities and exploitation through organised crime networks. Political instability, poverty, and gender inequality create environments conducive to human trafficking.

All NATO Allies are signatories to the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, acknowledging that human trafficking fuels corruption and organised crime and hinders peace and security. While not the primary organisation combatting trafficking, NATO has developed a policy and supports international efforts.

NATO’s first Policy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings in 2004 committed to preventing, mitigating, and responding to trafficking. At the 2023 Vilnius Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government endorsed an updated policy that aims to enhance operational effectiveness and credibility. The policy addresses all forms of trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, and organ removal, with a focus on victims who are predominantly women and girls.

The policy ensures gender-responsive and victim-centred measures, integrates trafficking considerations into military planning, and addresses the risks of supporting trafficking networks. It promotes collaboration between Allies, international organisations, and civil society, providing additional training and education for personnel to support victims and survivors with respect and dignity.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm#traffic

Key words

Human Trafficking / Vulnerable Individuals / Organised Crime / Political Instability / Gender Inequality / UN Protocol / Corruption / Peace and Security / Victim-Centred / Collaboration

Definition

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) includes acts of sexual violence linked to conflict, targeting women, men, girls, and boys to inflict trauma, disrupt communities, and perpetuate conflict. NATO is committed to implementing UN resolutions on sexual violence in conflict and developing guidelines to prevent and respond to CRSV. The Alliance’s policy outlines efforts to address CRSV in operations and missions, with ongoing collaboration with international organisations and civil society to eliminate sexual violence in conflict.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm#sexual

Key words

Conflict-related Sexual Violence / Trauma / Communities / Perpetuate Conflict / UN Resolutions / Guidelines / Prevention / Response / International Organizations / Civil Society

Definition

Consultation in joint military function refers to the process of exchanging information, seeking advice, and coordinating decisions among different military units, organisations, or nations to facilitate consensus, understanding, and alignment of objectives in a collaborative operational environment.

Source

U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States

Key words

Collaboration / Information exchange / Consensus

Definition

Cooperation in the context of joint military function refers to the coordinated efforts, collaboration, and mutual support among military forces and civilian entities to achieve common objectives, enhance interoperability, and effectively address complex security challenges.

Source

U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Publication 3-16, Multinational Operations

Key words

Joint military function / Interoperability / Collaboration

Definition

Coordination in joint military function refers to the deliberate process of harmonising and integrating multiple military components or entities’ efforts, resources, and actions to achieve shared objectives and ensure unity of effort in a complex operational environment.

Source

U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Publication 3-0, Joint Operations

Key words

Harmonisation / Integration / Unity of effort

Definition

AI in a military context refers to machines performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, aiding in decision-making processes and various military operations. The US has been a leader in responsible military AI use, emphasising ethical principles and policies over the past decade. The recent declaration includes guidelines for auditable, well-defined, and rigorously tested military AI systems, promoting responsible development and use of AI for defence purposes.

The branch of computer science is devoted to developing data processing systems that perform functions normally associated with human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, and self-improvement.

Cyber power in military operations refers to a society’s capability to leverage digital technology for surveillance, exploitation, subversion, and coercion in international conflicts. It allows for actions such as economic exploitation, intelligence gathering, interference in political discourse, and sabotage of critical infrastructure without deploying military forces. This capability is attainable even without advanced civilian technology and presents a credible threat to national security. The accessibility of cyber power poses challenges for defence against infiltration, highlighting the importance of proactive cyber defence strategies to mitigate potential risks to critical infrastructure and national security.

Cyber Operation: “Actions in or through cyberspace intended to preserve own and friendly freedom of action in cyberspace and/or to create effects to achieve military objectives.” (NATO agreed)

Connection to CIMIC:

In a scenario where a NATO member country faces a cyber attack orchestrated by a non-state actor targeting critical infrastructure, CIMIC plays a key role in facilitating coordination between military forces and civilian authorities. CIMIC units work with cybersecurity experts, AI analysts, and government agencies to share intelligence, assess the threat landscape, and coordinate response efforts. By leveraging cyber/AI capabilities within the framework of CIMIC, NATO can enhance situational awareness, conduct targeted operations, and protect critical infrastructure effectively across military and civilian domains. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive and coordinated response to cyber threats, underscores the importance of civil-military cooperation in leveraging advanced technologies and strengthens the Alliance’s resilience in the face of evolving security challenges.

Source

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3597093/us-endorses-responsible-ai-measures-for-global-militaries/

https://www.cirsd.org/en/horizons/horizons-autumn-2016–issue-no-8/cyber-power-an-emerging-factor-in-national-and-international-security

Civil-Military Cooperation Analysis and Assessment Concept, Annex J, p. 162

NATO Term

Key words

AI (Artificial Intelligence) / Military Operations / Ethical Principles / Responsible Development / Cyber Power / Surveillance / National Security / Cyber Defence / Critical Infrastructure / Civil-Military Cooperation

Definition

Deconflict in joint military function refers to the process of identifying and resolving potential conflicts or overlaps in operational plans, activities, or resources among different military units, organisations, or nations to ensure effective coordination and synchronisation of efforts in a shared operational space.

Source

U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Publication 3-0, Joint Operations

Key words

Operational coordination / Conflict resolution / Resource management

Definition

“Fundamental principles by which the military forces guide their actions in support of objectives. It is authoritative but requires judgement in application.”
(NATO agreed)

 Some nations elaborate further, stating that military doctrine is a formal expression of military knowledge and thought, descriptive rather than prescriptive, aiming to guide military activity and foster initiative and creative thinking. Doctrine provides an authoritative guide on how military forces conduct operations, serving as a reference point for uniting strategic, operational, and tactical levels of warfare. It is distinct from operations and tactics, providing a common conceptual framework for military organisations.

Source

https://www.jwc.nato.int/images/stories/threeswords/NATO_Doctrine_JWC_role.pdf

NATO Term

Key words

Military guidance / Operational framework / Strategic planning

Definition

The definition of economics is the study of how societies allocate scarce resources to produce goods and services while a state’s economic development influences military operations. Economically developed states tend to field more effective military forces, with military power rooted in a state’s economy rather than its political institutions, culture, or education system. Economic development is a primary determinant of military effectiveness, impacting international cooperation, trade policy, war causation, and termination. A state’s military power is a function of its material resources and how effectively it can translate them into force, known as military effectiveness. Economically developed states are more likely to possess the technological capacity, managerial skills, and political environments conducive to military proficiency.

Source

Beckley, M. 2010. Economic Development and Military Effectiveness, pp. 43-79

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01402391003603581#d1e641

Key words

Economics / Scarce Resources / Military Operations / Economic Development / Military Power / International Cooperation / Technological Capacity / Managerial Skills / Military Proficiency / Resource Allocation

Definition

“A military manoeuvre or simulated wartime operation involving planning, preparation, and execution. It is carried out for the purpose of training and evaluation. It may be a combined, joint, or single service exercise, depending on participating organizations.”
(NATO agreed)

There are several exercises to practice CIMIC in a close-to-reality scenario in different ways, such as the Joint Cooperation Exercise (JOCO).

Source

NATO Term

Key words

Military training / Simulation exercises / CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation) practice

Definition

NATO’s Concept for Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) is a strategic redeployment of the Alliance’s approach to deterrence and defence since the end of the Cold War. It aligns with the demands of modern warfare, upholding a defensive nature and reflecting the Allies’ commitment to a stable, rules-based global order. DDA aims to protect Allies from threats, for example posed by Russia and terror groups through strategic military activities in peace, crisis, and conflict, integrating multi-domain operations to defend all Allies. This concept guides NATO’s preparedness by enhancing political decision-making, collective understanding of threats and challenges, peace preservation through vigilance and deterrence activities, and strategic military flexibility for collective defence and crisis management. NATO has implemented a programme to modernise its plans, forces, alert systems, command and control, and exercises aligned with DDA, aiming to build a flexible and resilient multi-domain architecture to address threats and secure Allies.

 Connection to CIMIC:

Integration of CIMIC as a joint function in the family of plans on all levels and phases is critical herein, as CIMIC sets the conditions to synchronise military activities across all operational domains (Cyber, Space, Air, Land and Maritime) and environments with non-military activities to create converging effects. The joint function framework assists commanders in integrating political, military and civilian actions through the operational domains. The joint function CIMIC and the joint functions manoeuvre, fire, and information execute joint actions to create effects. They are informed and directed by the joint functions’ intelligence and command and control and supported by the joint functions’ sustainment and force protection.

Source

https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/natos-concept-deterrence-and-defence-euro-atlantic-area-dda

Key words

Deterrence and Defence / Strategic Redeployment / Modern Warfare / Multi-Domain Operations / Collective Defence / Threat Assessment / Crisis Management / Military Flexibility / Strategic Military Activities / CIMIC Integration

Definition

Gender Equality supports women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and security institutions. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict; all voices need to be heard to build long-lasting “whole of society” peace solutions.

 “The state in which there are equal rights, responsibilities, opportunities and access for men, women, boys and girls.”
(NATO agreed)

Source

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

NATO Term

Key words

Gender Mainstreaming

Definition

Gender perspective considers how a particular situation impacts the needs of men, women, boys and girls and if and how activities affect them differently.

Applying a gender perspective acts as a force multiplier and boosts situational awareness as it incorporates and accounts for diverse views and issues and helps to complement the full operational picture.

 “The ability to detect if and when men, women, boys and girls are being affected differently by a situation due to their gender.”
(NATO agreed)

Source

United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Principles and Guidelines, specifically the section on Gender Mainstreaming in Peacekeeping Operations

NATO Term

Key words

Gender Analysis

Definition

Human security is a multi-sectoral approach to security that gives primacy to people. The Human Security Approach and Guiding Principles, adopted at the Madrid Summit in June 2022, provide the Alliance with a common understanding of human security. For NATO, it encompasses five areas: combatting trafficking in human beings, protection of children in armed conflict, preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence, protection of civilians, and cultural property protection.

• For NATO,  human security relates to risks and threats to populations where NATO has operations, missions, or activities and how to mitigate and respond to them.
• NATO recognises the importance of reducing the impact of its actions on civilian populations in conflict zones and wherever else it may be conducting activities.
• At the Madrid Summit in June 2022, Heads of State and Government emphasised the centrality of human security by endorsing the Human Security Approach and Guiding Principles, which provide that NATO will be people-centred, actively integrate gender perspectives and address the differentiated impacts of conflict and crisis on different people in the population, especially those in situations of vulnerability or marginalisation.
• The 2022 Strategic Concept, NATO’s core policy document, underlines that human security, including the protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation, is central to NATO’s crisis prevention and management approach. It also commits NATO to work with other international actors to address the broader conditions fuelling crisis and pervasive instability and to contribute to stabilisation and reconstruction.
• NATO has a number of policies and guiding documents related to human security, including the protection of civilians (2016), preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence (2021), combatting trafficking in human beings (updated in 2023), and children and armed conflict (2023).

Connection to CIMIC:

CIMIC is deeply involved in protecting civilians, putting human beings at the centre of each action. Human security is a broader scope of NATO that combines all affected topics under one umbrella.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm

Key words

Human Security / People-Centred Approach / Protection of Civilians / Conflict Prevention / Gender Perspectives / Vulnerability / Humanitarian Action / CIMIC and Human Security / Conflict-related Sexual Violence / Civilian Harm Mitigation

Definition

Hybrid threats are harmful activities that are planned and carried out with malign intent. They aim to undermine a target, such as a state or an institution, through various means, often combined. Such means include information manipulation, cyberattacks, economic influence or coercion, covert political manoeuvring, coercive diplomacy, or threats of military force. Hybrid threats describe a wide array of harmful activities, such as blended modalities, simultaneity, fusion, and criminality, with different goals, ranging from influence operations and interference all the way to hybrid warfare.

 “A type of threat that combines conventional, irregular and asymmetric activities in time and space.”
(NATO agreed)

 Connection to CIMIC:

Hybrid threats, an overall challenge of the Alliance, do not only address a single target or domain but also influence CIMIC as a joint function and a continuous task in any domain simultaneously. CIMIC’s crucial role in enhancing coordination between military forces and non-military actors to counter those threats effectively includes communication and collaboration to find, for example, solutions on a governmental or local level for economic coercion or disinformation amongst the population.

Source

https://www.hybridcoe.fi/hybrid-threats-as-a-phenomenon/

NATO Term

Key words

Hybrid Threats / Malign Intent / Undermine / Information Manipulation / Cyberattacks / Covert Political Manoeuvring / Coordinate / Non-Military Actors / Solutions / Economic Coercion

Definition

Process of operating together to attain a unified end state.

 “The process of conducting the synchronised transfer of combat-ready units into a multinational joint force.”

(NATO agreed)

Source

NATO Term

Key words

Synchronisation / Multinational / Unified

Definition

“The joint functions framework assists commanders to integrate political, military and civil actions through the operational domains.”

Source

AJP-01

Key words

Operational Integration

Definition

Joint Task Force Headquarters Standard Operating Procedure

This procedure describes the usage of the joint function CIMIC in the respective headquarters.

Source

NATO Term

Key words

CIMIC Usage

Definition

NATO Military Policy on Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) aims to enhance NATO military contributions to crisis response by improving NATO’s military ability to interact with non-military actors. It provides political guidance for NATO military bodies and aims to serve as a reference to familiarise other actors with NATO’s policy.

Source

CCOE Webpage

Key words

NATO Military Policy

Definition

Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) is not a solo act but a collaborative effort for NATO. It’s pushing us to orchestrate military activities across all operating domains and environments, synchronising them with non-military activities. This collaborative approach enables the Alliance to create desired outcomes at the right time and place, enhancing the effectiveness of NATO’s Military Instrument of Power. It’s a call for us, as military personnel and NATO stakeholders, to prepare, plan, orchestrate and execute coordinated activities in collaboration with other stakeholders and actors associated with the Alliance, underlining the importance of our contributions to the collective effort.

 “The orchestration of military activities across all operational domains and environments, synchronised with non-military activities to enable the Alliance to create converging effects at the speed of relevance.”
(NATO agreed)

 Domain:  Within NATO’s structure, there are five areas of operations: Maritime, Land, Air, Space, and Cyberspace.  Given the speed of information, data flows, and adversarial capabilities, orchestrating military activities across all domains as a single force is crucial for long-term defence and deterrence initiatives within NATO.

 Connection to CIMIC:

CIMIC and MDO are closely intertwined in the evolving military landscape. While CIMIC operates comprehensively across different domains and branches, MDO provides the setting in which CIMIC functions. MDO, driven by the changing security environment and the need for a shift in warfare models, emphasises the orchestration of military activities across all operational domains in synchronisation with non-military activities. As the operational domains diversify, the involvement of various actors and stakeholders, including non-military partners, is crucial. In this context, CIMIC plays a significant role by integrating civil factors into the operating environment, facilitating civil-military interaction, and supporting mission accomplishment in various scenarios. Coordinating military and non-military activities through CIMIC sets the stage for converging effects across all operational domains and environments. As NATO embraces a multi-domain perspective, CIMIC’s role becomes more critical. The interconnected nature of CIMIC and MDO underscores the importance of considering both military and non-military spectrums in operational planning and execution.

Source

https://www.act.nato.int/article/mdo-in-nato-explained/

NATO Term

Keywords

Collaborative Effort / Orchestration / Synchronisation / Desired Outcomes / Military Instrument of Power / Preparedness / CIMIC and MDO / Diversification of Operational Domains / Civil-Military Interaction / Converging Effects

Definition

NATO Terminology Database defines all relevant terms and uses them to clarify their meanings and create a common understanding.

Key words

NATO Terminology Database

Definition

The list of non-military actors includes Contractors on Operations, Exercises and Transformational activities; Governmental Organisations (GO); Host Nations (HN); International Organisations (IO); Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO); the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC); civil defence organisations; local actors and other authorities, like tribe leaders, religious leaders, leaders of ethnic minorities as well as majorities and stakeholders from the private sector. Not all types of the listed actors above will necessarily be present in the area of operations.

Source

CIMIC Handbook

Civil-Military Cooperation Analysis and Assessment Concept, Annex J, p. 155f

Key words

Non-military actors / Contractors / Governmental Organizations / Host Nations / International Organizations / Non-Governmental Organizations / International Red Cross / Civil defense organizations / Local actors / Stakeholders

Definition

Power in political and legal contexts encompasses hard power, involving the use of force or coercion, and soft power, which is persuasive and based on intangible factors like culture and ideology. Hard power relies on military and economic means to influence others, while soft power shapes preferences through non-coercive methods like diplomacy and cultural influence. The effectiveness of both types depends on factors like credibility, legitimacy, and accessibility of resources, with soft power being seen as more sustainable over time due to its ability to co-opt others voluntarily.  Military operations are influenced by power dynamics, where hard power involves aggressive means to pressure others, while soft power focuses on persuasion and attraction. The credibility of threats, constitutional constraints, and legitimacy play crucial roles in determining the effectiveness of power usage. With its persuasive nature, soft power offers a more sustainable approach to exercising power over time compared to hard power’s coercive methods.

Source

Bloor, K. 2022. Power and Development in Global Politics, pp. 1-20

https://www.e-ir.info/2022/05/21/power-and-development-in-global-politics/

Key words

Power / Political Influence / Legal Authority / Hard Power / Soft Power / Coercion / Persuasion / Diplomacy / Military Operations / Credibility

Definition

NATO recognises the protection of cultural property as crucial for community security and identity. This includes safeguarding heritage sites in operational areas, following legal frameworks such as the 1954 Hague Convention, and integrating cultural property protection into military planning and training. The Alliance’s efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya illustrate its commitment to preserving cultural heritage during conflicts. NATO’s focus on cultural property protection aligns with its broader human security approach to building peace and security.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm?#civilians

Key words

Cultural Property / Community Security / Identity / Heritage Sites / Legal Frameworks / 1954 Hague Convention / Military Planning / Training / Kosovo / Afghanistan

Definition

NATO and its partners work to protect civilians by integrating measures to minimise harm in NATO-led operations. Policies and guidelines, including a NATO Policy for the Protection of Civilians, are developed to ensure a coherent approach to safeguarding civilians. The Alliance focuses on understanding the human environment, safeguarding civilians, providing access to necessities, and supporting local institutions to create a safe environment. NATO’s Strategic Concept emphasises human security and civilian protection in crisis prevention and management.

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_181779.htm#civilians

Key words

Civilians / NATO / Protection / Guidelines / Human Environment / Necessities / Local Institutions / Human Security / Crisis Prevention / Strategic Concept

Definition

Resilience within NATO refers to member countries’ individual and collective capacity to prepare for, resist, respond to, and recover from various shocks and disruptions, such as natural disasters or armed attacks. It encompasses civil preparedness, ensuring the continuity of government, essential services, and civil support to military operations. Resilience is rooted in the North Atlantic Treaty’s principle of maintaining and developing the capacity to resist armed attacks, forming a critical aspect of Alliance security to safeguard populations, territories, and shared values. NATO supports Allies in enhancing their resilience through various measures and assessments, aligning with the overarching goal of strengthening national and Alliance-wide readiness against security challenges.

 “The ability of an entity to continue to perform specified functions during and after an attack or an incident.”
(NATO agreed)

Source

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_132722.htm

NATO Term

Key words

Alliance security / Readiness / National resilience

Definition

A resilient society can be broadly defined as one with strong social bonds, social institutions, and societal trust.

Societal resilience, as defined by NATO, is the ability of a society to resist and recover quickly from major shocks like armed attacks, natural disasters, health crises, or critical infrastructure failures, combining civil and societal preparedness with military capacity. It involves governmental institutions, the private sector, and civil society, emphasising the importance of citizens in national preparedness and responses, including effective public communications and countering disinformation. Trust between citizens and governmental institutions is crucial for effective crisis management and improvement of societal resilience, highlighting the need to engage the public in civil preparedness and defence efforts for long-term effectiveness. Citizens’ understanding and active contribution are essential for a society’s success in resisting and recovering from challenges.

Source

https://www.nato.int/structur/pdd/2022/220411-ResilienceContentGuidelines.pdf

Key words

Civil preparedness / Public engagement / Trust-building

Definition

At the tactical level, NATO’s Allied Command Operations includes Single Service Commands such as land, maritime, and air commands, which provide expertise and support to the operational-level Joint Force Commands. These commands report directly to SHAPE and are under the command of SACEUR, contributing to the planning and execution of Alliance operations in their respective domains.

The definition of “tactical level” refers to the planning and conduct of the battle, characterised by concentrated force and offensive action to achieve objectives. It is the level where armed forces are used in engagements on the battlefield.

Source

https://www.clausewitz.com/readings/Dunn.htm

https://shape.nato.int/military_command_structure

Key words

Single Service Commands / Joint Force Commands / Tactical operations

Definition

To safeguard the freedom and security of its members, the Alliance must maintain the capabilities to prevent, detect, deter and defend against any threat of aggression. For this reason, NATO conducts education and training programmes to increase its multinational forces’ cohesion, effectiveness, and readiness. Furthermore, in its education and training reform efforts, NATO shares its expertise with partner countries. Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is entirely dedicated to transforming NATO’s military structure, forces, capabilities and doctrine, including through exercises and training design and management.

Source

https://www.act.nato.int/activities/nato-education-and-training/

Key words

Military readiness / Alliance defense / Training transformation

Definition

“Tactics, techniques and procedures are the specific methods and strategies individuals or groups use to achieve their objectives in a particular situation.”
(NATO agreed)

For CIMIC, it is the ACO Manual AM 86-1-1: CIMIC Tactics, Techniques and Procedures.

Source

NATO Term

Key words

CIMIC Tactics

Definition

Wargaming is a deliberate, analytical method for creating and testing conceptual ideas as part of the Concept Development and Experimentation Toolkit. It involves simulating military operations with specific rules, data, methods, and procedures to explore player decisions that influence the sequence of events. This approach includes representing various roles, such as adversarial and non-military, to offer challenges and encompass broader societal aspects. Through wargaming, operators can practice decision-making and gain a comprehensive understanding of potential scenarios and available response options, visualising the operation flow considering forces, enemy capabilities, alternative courses of action, and the impact of non-military factors.

Source

https://www.act.nato.int/our-work/wargaming-the-future-at-the-cde-conference/

Key words

Concept development / Decision-making / Scenario planning

Definition

The seven baseline requirements of NATO for civil preparedness include:

1. Assured continuity of government and critical government services
2. Resilient energy supplies
3. Ability to deal effectively with uncontrolled movement of people
4. Resilient food and water resources
5. Ability to deal with mass casualties
6. Resilient civil communications systems
7. Resilient civil transportation systems

These requirements are essential for member states to enhance their resilience and preparedness for various security challenges and disruptions. NATO supports Allies in meeting these requirements to strengthen their civil preparedness, deterrence, and defence posture.

Source

https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2019/02/27/resilience-the-first-line-of-defence/index.html

Key words

Civil preparedness requirements / Resilient infrastructure / Security challenges