This one-week seminar analyzes security issues related to Europe’s Southern flank, including the impact of developments within Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East on European and Euro-Atlantic security. It emphasizes policy priorities including strategic competition, hybrid and irregular warfare, terrorism, irregular migration, transnational organized crime, regional conflicts, and other sources of instability. It further assesses challenges and opportunities for advancing cooperative, effective European, Euro- Atlantic, and EU-NATO policy approaches to these issues together with regional partners. In doing so, it recognizes the importance of multilateral and whole-of-government approaches in addressing multifaceted regional challenges.

• Engage a range of partners in better understanding security challenges, opportunities, and dynamics in Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East
• Review and assess resulting vulnerabilities and challenges for Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community
• Assess and align potential regional and Euro-Atlantic and EU-NATO policy responses
• Generate a network of professionals for continued interaction, dialogue, and cooperation

This seminar brings together mid- to senior level security practitioners from Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the U.S. for plenary lectures and in-depth discussions in small seminar groups, all conducted under Chatham House Rule of non-attribution. ESS-S aims to build a common understanding of emerging dynamics in the south and to support comprehensive strategies to address regional challenges. Thus, it also generates a network of professionals for continued interaction, dialog and cooperation.