The students of the Hebrew University’s European Forum had gone through a month-long online tutorial and intensive course on NATO and the issue of energy security - focussing on the possible role that NATO could play in that field. The tutorial and course were conducted by Tamir Sinai, a policy consultant and frequent guest lecturer at the Hebrew University.

The subject matter, in itself representing a cutting-edge issue for NATO today, was studied intensively by the students who prepared themselves for the cumulating event of the simulation by researching “their country’s” position on energy security and their take on where NATO could add value alongside efforts of other fora such as the European Union et al.

It was thus that the students, joined by Caroline Summers, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge and Sebastian Schäffer, University of Regensburg, gathered on the 12th June at Beit Meiersdorf, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, to discuss the situation in Azerbaijan as well as energy security in general. The event was officially opened by Mrs. Elisheva Moatti, the Administrative Director of the “European Forum”, who welcomed the students and pointed out the high degree of relevance of the subject in a global world that is dependent on the free and plenty flow of energy on an ever increasing scale.

On behalf of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Israel, the co-organizer of the event, Mrs. Catherine Hirschwitz addressed the participants and expressed the Foundation’s continuing intention to support the exchange of views between Israeli and European students on subjects that are relevant to both. Thus the proceedings were opened and the “Model-NATO Secretary General” declared the session open.

The ambassadors first of all had the chance to deliver an opening statement on the situation in the Caucasus region, a situation that had become even more complicated by the influx of Russian troops into the quasi-independent republic of Homia, in the south-east of Georgia – in contradiction to their peace-keeping mandate there. This development, which had occurred only days before the session, introduced a geo-strategic factor into the discussion: the interests of Russia that could not be ignored and would, to a large extend, leave its mark on the day’s deliberations.

It became vividly obvious from the start that the concern amongst NATO-Nations diverges significantly when it comes to what their energy interests are and how they should be safeguarded. While some ambassadors proposed decisive action whatever the sabre-rattling reactions from Moscow would be, others pointed out that energy security in the region could only be achieved in concert with the Russians.

The discussions continued throughout the day and even during the “working lunch”. Formal as well as informal exchanges went on heatedly until the Secretary General, seeking to overcome stubborn insistence on negligible details by some Allies, declared the ultimate ratio in NAC-decision making: the silent procedure. If until a given time no ally would declare in writing its opposition to the draft communiqué on the floor, the Secretary General would then declare that a consensus had been reached. Thus the allies decided on a Security Assistance Mission to Azerbaijan encompassing advisors, intelligence and reconnaissance assets as well as urgent and intensive consultations within the NATO-Russia Council to fully disclose the intentions of NATO in the region and try and put Moscow’s mind at rest.

Following the successful completion of the simulation the students engaged in an intensive guided debriefing session expressing and deepening their impressions on the subject and the simulation method. The tenor was that the issue of energy security, apparently bland at first glance, proved to be an exciting and challenging subject matter. Furthermore, the opportunity to explore a specific European country’s stance on security and especially energy security matters was perceived as intriguing. The chance to conduct the simulation in English and with fellow students from Europe was repeatedly welcomed.

Summing up, the simulation offered the participating students the chance to actively use the knowledge they had gained in the online-tutorial, the class lectures and their individual research – deepening their theoretical understanding of NATO, its members’ interests and the subject of energy security in all its facets. What remains to be seen is how NATO will react if and when it is challenged to take a stance on the issue beyond the declarative action it has taken as recently as the Bucharest summit.

Tamir Sinai, Policy Consultant, Munich