On December 3, Canada passed its role as Chair of the NATO Military Intelligence Committee (MIC) to the incumbent nation, Albania, during a ceremony held in Brussels, Belgium.

When Canada assumed the role in January 2018, it did so with a focus on driving intelligence reforms to improve the speed and effectiveness of intelligence analysis and sharing.

“In response to a challenging threat environment, and evolving political and military priorities, NATO is fundamentally adapting how it organizes and analyzes intelligence. As Military Intelligence Committee Chair, Canada lead reforms aimed at synchronizing Allied efforts and optimizing resources in support of this approach,” said Rear-Admiral Scott Bishop, Commander, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, and Chair of NATO Military Intelligence Committee.

The MIC is the principal advisory body to the NATO Military Committee on defence intelligence issues, and is chaired by a nation’s chief of defence intelligence on one-year rotations.

Canada set the tone for its tenure in May, when it hosted the well-received MIC Conference. More than 170 participants received updates and briefings, namely on intelligence gathering, the NATO Command Structure Adaptation, hybrid challenges, and Intelligence lessons learned.

Canadian delegates also attended multiple international meetings throughout the year. It was under Canada’s leadership that the MIC achieved several key accomplishments, including:

• improving NATO’s Early Warning System,
• establishing a Joint Effects Branch within Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), including a new 24/7 intelligence watch, and
• enriching a culture of civilian-military intelligence cooperation.

These accomplishments reinforced Canada’s leadership and steadfast commitment to international peace and security through better situational awareness and intelligence practices.

“I’m extremely proud of the committee’s accomplishments in this past year, and I have no doubt Albania will continue the great work being done by the MIC. NATO’s strength is in its collective efforts, and Canada looks forward to continued contribution under Albania’s leadership,” said Rear-Admiral Bishop.