The Gray Zone: Cooperation and Collective Defence for the 21st Century Security Environment

The 21st Century security environment is characterised by its complexity. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted to the world the significant security risks that Europe faces today. At present, Europe is experiencing an increase in the range of security threats which fall below the threshold of war. These hazards, understood as Gray Zone threats, include information warfare, cyber-attacks, military posturing, and the manipulation of energy supplies.  This panel discusses the ways in which the blurred lines between peace and war generated new threats, and the panellists assess the measures that can be taken to counter them.    

About the Speakers:

David van Weel is Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO. He is Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s primary advisor on emerging security challenges and their implications for the security of the Alliance and a member of the Secretary General’s senior management team. Prior to joining NATO, David van Weel was the Foreign Policy and Defense Advisor for the Prime Minister of The Netherlands. 

Olli Ruutu is Deputy Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency. Previously Mr Ruutu served as Deputy National Armaments Director of the Ministry of Defence of Finland. Mr Ruutu has been awarded the decoration of a Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland and a Medal for Military Merits.