NATO International School of Azerbaijan

“New Warfare and Modern Conflicts”

Winter Session, 26-31 January 2009

BAKU-AZERBAIJAN

Dates and venue

The NISA Winter Session will be held on January 26-31, 2009 in Baku, Azerbaijan. January
25 and February 1 are the dates of arrival and departure. Participants will be accommodated in
the Crescent Beach Hotel & Leisure Resort (Address: Crescent Beach Hotel, Salyan Highway
Shikh Settlement Baku, Azerbaijan; Category: 4*; Tel: +994 (12) 497 4777;
Web:www.cbh.az E-mail: info@cbh.az) where the Session will take place. Participants will
have an opportunity of tour programs in Baku and surroundings.

Concept of the event

The fall of the Soviet Union and elimination of the bipolar world system led to the change of
the geopolitical environment in every single border of a globe. On the other hand, unexpected
abandonment of Russia’s authority from the former Soviet republics resulted in the general
shift of the balance of power in the post-Soviet sphere and disintegration of regional order. As
a result of the “power gap” emerged in the post-Soviet area and particularly in the South
Caucasus created a chance to the return of centuries-old ethnic conflicts and territorial clashes
that were “frozen” under Soviet rule. Modern warfare was emerging as a result of instability.

Consequently, changing geopolitical situation, newly materialized wars has increased the
need for peace and prosperity for all. However, in Caucasus also being considered as the
centre of the Eurasia not everything went so smoothly. Combined with the remarkable
decrease in economic production and overall crisis of identities, that the former Soviet
republics have been living through, these conflicts plagued the stability in the South
Caucasus. On the other hand, the world system was not able to compensate the changes of
20th century.

Since that time the different states have been searching for the means that would maintain
their security and stability. Peculiar to Caucasus, frequent regional security problems that
increased the risk of the leakage of the problems into other neighbouring regions and large
natural gas and oil reserves that this region owns, draw attention of the international
community to this part of the world.

Herein, the wave of NATO involvement in the region with special Partnership for Peace (PfP)
agreements that was accepted as effective way of solving the deficit of security in the region
took a momentum.
Furthermore, the century of technology led to the changes in warfare. The politics of modern
wars was different as traditional wars between states transformed into being in asymmetric
format. Terrorist groups are now considered the main threat to the security and peace of
global world. Additionally, the global system welcomed the development and the use of
weapons of mass destruction. Against this background it will be for interest to understand the
role of NATO in solution of conflicts and building strong security understanding

NISA- as an organization aiming to create effective public awareness and launching

debate about the Euro- Atlantic security understanding is going to concentrate upon
new warfare and modern conflicts and its unfortunate results that led to wars and
conflicts. We hope and believe that the effective mix of national and international participants
will create a chance to initiate arguments and discuss the topic in details, which will help to
understand the changing geopolitical situation, conflicts and varying elements of modern
warfare.

Issues to be discussed
- Intellectual traditions, theories, origins, definitions, forms, strategies/tactics related to
the history of war and the emergence of modern state
- Definitions and levels of modern conflicts in the prospect of changing world order
- What are the threats to world peace and progress and causes of their emergence?
- Conflict Resolution Models- Intervention and Peacekeeping
- The Politics of Modern Wars – The path of transformation from tradition wars to
asymmetric wars
- The development of Modern Weapons and the use of WMD
- Which institutions and signed treaties serve as a tool for arms control and disarmament
- The appearance of terrorism, intellectual origins and key criteria
- What is the strategy and approaches in fight against terrorism?
- Perpetrators: the ones who are interested in transnational crime
- What is the role of NATO in conflict resolution and the outcome?
- The deployment of an effective International and security presence
- Special case study: Kosovo- Promotion of peace, democracy, rights and law
- The role of Ideology in Modern Conflicts
- The new frontier: Cyber warfare
- Introduction to Simulation Game- International/ Regional Conflict Resolution

Organizer and Partners

NISA is non-governmental organization that functions as research, education and information

centre on Euro-Atlantic security and integration course. It has been officially registered in
March 2007. The Government of Azerbaijan is ready, as it was in the past to meet the
expenses of NISA. Due to the role NISA plays in the further promotion of Euro-Atlantic
values and ideas, it would naturally rightful to expect further assistance by NATO and other
partners.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has always welcomed all
projects serving to enhancement of public understanding and knowledge about NATO and
Euro-Atlantic security issues. Ministry sees all these activities as solid contribution of civil
society to developing Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation within the IPAP. That is the reason
MFA has been supporting by all means the holding of the NISA sessions.

Public Diplomacy Division of NATO has rendered support for initiatives launched by the
Azerbaijani NGOs, including NISA. There is a strong belief that PDD assistance to this
winter session will be a valuable contribution to the developing Azerbaijan-NATO
cooperation, including IPAP goals and objectives.

Methodology / Structure

NISA Winter Session will be rich in program with plenary sessions, working groups, practical
site visits, round table and simulation game. Participants will be able to raise critical questions
related to themes of the session during the meetings with invited experts and key
governmental officials. The social program, including the intercultural evening will be the
unforgettable part of the program. Participants are kindly asked to contribute to this evening
with their traditional clothes, music, dances, drinks and sweets.

Participants’ Profile

Participants can be young politicians, researchers, NGO, Government representatives and

academicians working on security and related issues.

Participants should be fluent in English, under the age of 35 and Nationals of NATO member
states, Partnership for Peace countries, Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation
Initiative countries.

Financial procedures

NISA will provide scholarships to cover the expenses related to the local transportation,
accommodation, meals as well as the social program during the event dates. Limited funds are
also available to provide reimbursement of the 80% of travel expenses (provided that it does
not exceed 500 USD for Eastern European, 600 USD for the Western European participants
and 700 USD for the participants coming from the US and other parts of the world) of some
qualified participants.

There is no participation fee. Financial assistance requests for travel expenses will be
considered individually. The request for the most economic travel expenses subsidization
should be sent to NISA before the deadline by indicating the details of transportation
reservation and price.

Application procedures

Application must include the application form, detailed CV and 1 page long paper on
“New warfare and Modern Conflicts”. The paper must reflect applicant's own writing and
original thinking and be sent to the following e-mail address: contact.nisa@gmail.com with
the subject line NAME SURNAME / COUNTRY / NISA WS, as appropriate. Incomplete
applications will not be accepted for selection. The deadline for the application submission is
December 15, 2008. Only selected candidates will be notified by e-mail on December 20,
2008.
 Daily Program for WINTER SESSION- 26-31 January

Sunday, 25 January 2009

Arrival of the participants and experts

Monday, 26 January 2009

Registration
Admin remarks/Introduction of speakers/participants by NISA TEAM
Official Opening of the NISA summer session (In the presence of media)
Key-note speeches by government officials
Q&A session
Family photo
¾ Panel 1: The History of War and the Emergence of Modern State
Lecture
Q&A session
Division into Working Groups (I, II, III) – Discussions
Social Event

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

¾ Panel 2: Regional Conflicts in the prospect of changing world order

Lecture
Q&A Session
¾ Panel 3: The Politics of Modern Wars
Lecture
Q&A session
Scenario based event
Social Event

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

¾ Panel 4: Modern Weapons and the use of WMD

Lecture
Q&A session
¾ Panel 5: Fight against terrorism and Strategic approach
Lecture
Q&A session
¾ Panel 6: The role of NATO in conflict resolution and the outcome
Lecture
Q&A Session
Working Group discussions
Intercultural evening

Thursday, 29 January 2009

¾ Panel 7: The role of Ideology in Modern Conflicts

Lecture
Q&A Session
¾ Panel 8 : Cyber Warfare: The New Frontier
Lecture
Q&A Session
Working Group discussions
Social Event

Friday, 30 January 2009

Simulation Game: Introduction to Simulation Game- International/ Regional Conflict

Resolution
Wrap up by the Rapporteurs
Visit to Ministry of Emergencies

Saturday, 31 January 2009

NISA Café: discussion of future plans and activities

Final address by Government Officials / Presentation of Certificates
Optional Cultural programs
Farewell party

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Departure of participants