The National Security Strategy was approved last year, replacing the 2017 version. All strategies are designed to last for 10 years, with reviews every 5 years or when circumstances require. Despite these agreed timelines, it is very difficult for a strategy to remain relevant for a full decade, as the world we live in is constantly changing.
According to Miguel Ángel Ballesteros, there were five main reasons why the 2017 National Security Strategy needed to be revised:
- The need to create a crisis management system.
- A new international landscape.
- Disinformation campaigns.
- The climate crisis.
- Disruptive technologies.
After addressing the shortcomings identified in the previous strategy, the new version includes some key updates. To begin with, the Autonomous Communities are now included through the Sectoral Conference on National Security. Another change is that the Joint Commission was not directly involved in its development. Lastly, a group of experts was created to review, analyze, and provide feedback on the draft versions.
Regarding the principles of the new Strategy, Ballesteros provided a retrospective comparison from the 2011 version to the present one, showing how principles have been consolidated over the years. This has led to the three guiding principles of the 2021 Strategy: greater anticipation, greater integration, and greater resilience. The emphasis on «greater» is important, as it highlights the need for increased efforts to address the various challenges we face.
To conclude, the importance of adapting the strategy to the needs arising from current events was emphasized. This should be done in line with the established action lines without waiting for the next scheduled review, as we must maintain a strong capacity to respond to future challenges.
Marta Herranz
Communication Assistant, INCIPE