The Significance of High Readiness Forces for NATO Credibility

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.The outcome of the meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on 25 May 2017 should be to accelerate investment in high readiness forces needed for collective defence and expedition operations. Ensuring the Alliance’s ability to conduct both types of missions at the same time was a prerequisite for maintaining its integrity and credibility, key to the sense of security of all its members. The development of these capacities by European countries was essential to strengthening the transatlantic link.