CADENNABIA – Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) CEO Dr Bryce Wakefield was invited this week to speak at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Roundtable on Rebalancing NATO, held at the former German chancellor’s summer residence in Cadenabbia, Italy. The roundtable brought together experts and policymakers to discuss NATO’s evolving role in light of global security challenges.
Wakefield said it was an honour to be able to present an Indo-Pacific and Australian perspective at a conference that traditionally focused on the North Atlantic. “My sense is that there is a lot of interest in our region in Europe, but that Europeans, obviously preoccupied with their own security issues, are not sensitive to the unique and complex security dynamics of our region,” he said. “Better understanding will help them better develop their Indo-Pacific strategies, and I hope that Australian contributions to their discussion can help them do that.”
Wakefield noted in particular the importance of distinguishing the different forms of security architecture in different regions. “I don’t think a lot of Europeans quite understand that our region is not one that can provide collective security as easily as theirs, current tensions in NATO notwithstanding,” he said.
The conference also provided an opportunity to exchange views with leading thinkers working at the forefront of pressing global security issues. Present were several experts from the United States, with unique insights and interpretations of the Trump administration’s unfolding security strategy and approach to trans-Atlantic and global security. Wakefield noted the value of renewing connections and building new ties. “It was a pleasure to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. I am grateful to the KAS team for their excellent organisation of the event.”
