Statesmen's Forum: The Honorable Espen Barth Eide Minister of Defense of Norway
Introduction by
Dr. John Hamre
President and CEO, CSIS
Moderated by
Heather A. Conley
Senior Fellow and Director, CSIS Europe Program
CSIS hosted an address and discussion with Defense Minister Barth Eide on the current state of European defense, the importance of continued U.S. engagement in Europe, as well as the agenda and expectations for the NATO Summit in Chicago this coming May. While NATO's role in global crisis management – stretching from Afghanistan, Libya and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia – is on the rise, the Alliance is becoming more politically divided and struggling with the effects of long-term under investment in European military capabilities. Minister Barth Eide drew upon his considerable foreign and security policy experience and insights in discussing the future of the alliance as it experiences these shifts in an age of austerity.
