Belgium Joins NATO's Strategic Communication Hub in Riga
Belgium is officially joining the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (NATO StratCom COE), a strategic communications hub based in Riga, Latvia. This move comes at a critical time, as the world faces an increasing number of hybrid threats, from cyberattacks to coordinated disinformation campaigns. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken emphasized the importance of this step, stating, 'It is crucial that Belgium can count on the best expertise, resources, and partners to distinguish fact from manipulation and to communicate strategically.'
The NATO StratCom COE, recognized by NATO but operating outside its command structure, has been active since 2014. It was founded by Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and the United Kingdom, and has since expanded to include nine additional members, with four more countries currently in the process of joining. Belgium now becomes part of this growing network.
The centre provides research, analysis, training, and advice on strategic communication, perception management, and the broader information environment. Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in both detecting disinformation and shaping effective communication strategies. Francken noted that recent incidents, such as drone sightings over Belgium followed by misleading foreign media reports, highlight the sophistication of modern hybrid threats. He stated, 'These events demonstrate that we must further develop our expertise in strategic communication, including AI-driven analysis, to proactively protect our society.'
By joining the NATO StratCom COE, Belgium aims to strengthen its role within NATO and contribute to the development of modern tools for strategic communication. This move underscores the growing importance of the information domain in today's security landscape, where the battle for security is fought not only on the ground but also in the realm of information.
