NATO in Dayton, USA <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in which Prof. Kairidis participate as the head of the Greek delegation, has begun its work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the Assembly’s work, Prof Kairidis, presented the Report on Digital Threats to Democracy Today, which he undertook and drafted, to the Committee on Democracy and Security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Report was approved unanimously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key take away <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Bolster efforts to counter Chinese disinformation and wider cyberattacks on elections and democratic ecosystems<\/strong> that threaten Allied democracies and security<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 The strategic partnerships between NATO and the Indo-Pacific countries\u2014Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand\u2014reflect a broader geopolitical shift where the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly central to global security concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Greek lawmaker Spyridon Kyriakis highlighted NATO\u2019s growing cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) countries \u2013 Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 The Committee on Democracy and Security (CDS) also discussed a report by Turkish legislator S\u00fcreyya \u00d6nes Derici on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) <\/strong>agenda as United Nations Resolution 1325 turns 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 In deterrence and defence, WPS can play a role in creating a strategic advantage over potential adversaries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n NATO Assembly calls for decisive action on cyberattacks and disinformation, stronger partnerships<\/p>\n\n\n\n 25 May 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n DAYTON, OHIO<\/strong> \u2013 NATO Allies must bolster efforts to counter Chinese disinformation and wider cyberattacks on elections and democratic ecosystems that threaten Allied democracies and security, lawmakers at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly said Saturday<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reports discussed by the NATO PA\u2019s Committee on Democracy and Security\u00b2 called for action against intensifying disinformation and cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure and democratic ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A report by Greek lawmaker Dimitrios Kairidis warned that malicious actors seek to undermine elections, erode public trust, and \u201cpave the way for the rise of anti-democratic sentiments and foreign interferences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSecure and credible elections are important to national stability, and thereby to collective resilience, making it imperative to address these threats,\u201d Kairidis insisted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a need for comprehensive assessments, contingency plans, better legal and regulatory frameworks, the draft added. Core election infrastructure must be designated as \u201ccritical\u201d to prevent and mitigate threats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kairidis further urged Allies to bolster democratic resilience, step up counter-measures against cyberattacks, and expand cooperation within NATO and with like-minded partners. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Committee also reviewed a report by Belgian lawmaker Viviane Teitelbaum, calling for urgent action to counter expanding Chinese disinformation operations targeting Allied societies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChinese disinformation now aims to destabilise, discredit, and weaken NATO countries,\u201d Teitelbaum warned in her report. \u201cWith rapid technological innovations, infiltration of local media ecosystems, and growing cooperation with Russia, Chinese disinformation is spreading further and faster than ever before.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The report called for better threat awareness through monitoring, proactive communication, and public education. It also urged Allies to prevent the spread of disinformation and to strengthen the resilience of institutions through legislation, regulation, and better capacities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both reports recommended establishing a Centre for Democratic Resilience at NATO Headquarters and deepening collaboration with partners facing similar threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a separate report, drafted for the Defence and Security Committee (DSC), Greek lawmaker Spyridon Kyriakis highlighted NATO\u2019s growing cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) countries \u2013 Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNATO\u2019s evolving partnership with the IP4\u00b3 is driven by the recognition of increasing cross-regional security challenges posed by the closer alignment of China, North Korea, and Russia,\u201d the report noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Allies must broaden strategic cooperation with IP4 partners by considering closer defence industrial cooperation (including common standards), ensuring better interoperability of their respective armed forces, advanced technology innovation and sharing, and joint production, Kyriakis recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The legislator also proposed increased NATO-IP4 exercising and tasking, regular Allied presence at regional bases, and coordinated communication strategies to counter growing disinformation about NATO\u2019s cooperative security outreach in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lawmakers also warned of the dangers of geo-economic fragmentation, raising concerns that trade disputes could divide Allies, especially amid ongoing debates over securitisation and tariffs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dutch legislator Bart Kroon, in his report discussed by the Economics and Security Committee (ESC), cautioned against tariff wars among Allies and partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He warned that such divisions could \u201copen new opportunities for powerful countries like China that do not share core democratic and free market values.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The report cautioned that China and Russia already wield significant influence in key sectors and \u201cdemonstrated a willingness to exploit this position for political ends.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kroon called for strengthening cooperation with partners and the private sector to reduce strategic dependencies in critical areas such as energy, food, and technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAllied countries should work to foster greater openness among themselves to generate economic gains from trade and investment, to reinforce solidarity, to foster interoperability, to cooperate in the advancement of technology and shared policymaking,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kroon\u2019s report stressed the need to balance between security and economic openness, reinforce supply chain resilience, and defend global standards to avoid harmful fragmentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Committee on Democracy and Security (CDS) also discussed a report by Turkish legislator S\u00fcreyya \u00d6nes Derici on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as United Nations Resolution 1325 turns 25. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The lawmaker called on Allies to sustain political and financial support for WPS, even as some countries review their priorities and budgets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The report stressed that WPS contributes to national security and supports NATO\u2019s core tasks. \u201cIn deterrence and defence, WPS can play a role in creating a strategic advantage over potential adversaries<\/strong>,\u201d \u00d6nes Derici added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWPS enables Allied countries to leverage the full potential of their citizens \u2013 men and women alike \u2013 enhancing both the legitimacy and effectiveness of their political institutions and the operational capability and resilience of their armed forces.\u201d https:\/\/www.nato-pa.int\/news\/nato-assembly-calls-decisive-action-cyberattacks-and-disinformation-stronger-partnerships<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. The Assembly, though institutionally separate from NATO, serves as an essential link between NATO and the parliaments of the NATO nations. It provides greater transparency of NATO policies and fosters better understanding of the Alliance\u2019s objectives and missions amongst legislators and citizens of the Alliance. Throughout 2025, the Assembly celebrates 70 years of parliamentary diplomacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Committee on Democracy and Security (CDS) <\/p>\n\n\n\n