NATO Counter-Terrorism Options: Unity of Effort for a Common Language

This article explores NATO’s evolving counter-terrorism (CT) strategy in response to the shifting dynamics of global conflict, the rise of grey-zone threats, and the rapid proliferation of Emerging Disruptive Technologies (EDTs). The study emphasizes critical gaps in intelligence sharing, the lack of integrated biometric and surveillance frameworks, and the need for real-time interoperable databases across NATO and EU partners. Drawing upon operational case studies from Ukraine, the South Hub’s activities in North Africa and the Middle East, and recent instability in Gaza, the paper illustrates how unmanned systems, cyber tools, and autonomous swarm technologies are reshaping asymmetric threat environments. Ultimately, it proposes the foundation of a multilateral counter-terrorism framework based on shared legal norms, technological innovation, and synchronized operational protocols among Allied and partner nations.