ABSTRACT
International energy developments rather than political designs pushed energy security onto NATO's agenda, and international developments will continue to be the main driver for refining NATO's role. However, in order to be sustainable, NATO's approach to energy security must be part of the continuing, broader effort to enhance the organisation's value as a consultative mechanism beyond immediate military-operational concerns. Supported by forward-looking analysis, NATO must continue to develop a culture of political discussion which is not confined to challenges that may involve NATO militarily, but which also includes issues of broader security relevance. As many of these issues including energy-related developments could be controversial, they would put the Alliance's cohesion to the test. However, ignoring important developments for the sake of not undermining allied consensus might ultimately prove the greater risk. In the globalised world of the twenty-first century NATO cannot afford to have a blind spot.
