State emergency, "Establishment of the National Security Agency"

In the last 30 years, with the cannons of the National Security System have been conceived, planned, directed and managed mostly in a fragmented way, each institution separately, according to the field of mission, respective responsibilities and tasks. Unfortunately, in most cases there are duplications, parallel structures as well as "competition" between state security agencies, not for the implementation of responsibilities, but especially for mutual competencies. Consequently, the efficiency of threat forecasting and weighing of scenarios, decision-making, especially operational capacities in this field have been developed on this concept, model and tradition disintegrated. For a small country like ours, this disintegrated approach is a heavy burden as well as costly. Having said that, it has come, maybe the time for concept has passed, integrated state structure and measures. Beyond and including the Republic of Albania, the global security order has been shaken by the horrific recycling of traditional wars, such as Russia's neo-Nazi case of invading Ukraine, testing the cohesion and geopolitical interests of the Transatlantic Alliance (NATO / USA)! On the other hand, for more than 20 years the world has been facing the consequences of failed states / democracies, terrorist threats, cyber threats, natural disasters, health pandemics, natural emergencies, financial crises, etc. Even worse, the consequences of state corruption, organized crime, earthquake and pandemic / Covid-19, have shaken not only the architecture, but also the gravity of the global, continental, regional security system, but also the national security system. Whereas, for 13 years, The Republic of Albania is part of the system of collective protection, with extraordinary benefits, modest contributions and related obligations. But, despite the efforts and certainly the achievements, the Republic of Albania still lacks a national mechanism for assessments and state measures integrated against threats and risks to the security of citizens, society, democratic standards and national interests. It is also a fact that SSK 2004 and 2014, have remained as a document on paper, little or not applicable in practice, or more clearly only as inventory in the drawers and shelves of the next government. Therefore, with the humility of an expert, with more than modest experience in the field of national security reforms, the Region, NATO, I appreciate as a national emergency the transformation of the Security System, in order: "Modernization of the official concept (SSK) , structures, equipment and capacity; improving the operational capabilities and the culture of cooperation between the responsible structures, in the interest of safety of life, health, property and welfare of the citizens; restoring Albanians' faith in the values ??of Euro-Atlantic societies; the development of national interests and the fulfillment of the obligations of the Republic of Albania in NATO ”. Having said that, as a priority no. 1 of this reform, I advise the application of an integrated model or the Establishment of the National Security Agency (KAS). Scope and Mission: KAS will provide the Executive / Prime Minister and senior state authorities with: “real-time and integrated overview of the burden of threats and respective decision-making; play an essential role in the formulation of the National Security Strategy (NSS), the preparation of the legal package, monitoring the achievement of objectives according to the matrix of inter-institutional obligations ”. KAS will cover the main areas of security and national interests and will serve mainly the Prime Minister, but also 2 other powers (Assembly & President) as well as implementing institutions such as MFA, MB, MoD, according to the field of mutual responsibilities. KAS is designed to play an initiating role in the formulation of strategic documents (SSK, RSM, SU, SDP, etc.), and will coordinate and monitor the implementation of objectives by the respective institutions. Furthermore, KAS will serve as a central structure to harmonize the preparation of security decisions in the field of security for the 3 powers (Prime Minister, Assembly, President), as well as those in the framework of the collective defense of the Alliance, etc. As well, KAS will serve for the preparation of the agenda of the meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Policy Committee of S&KK and as such will provide periodically and case by case (before the meetings) to all members of the ICRC an integrated and uniform view of strategic decision-making issues. Although a small structure (which can be expanded depending on the vision of the Prime Minister), through the integrated approach KAS will also serve as a mechanism to transform the entire architecture and efficiency of national security mechanisms. In terms of financial burden, it is also a rational approach and at the national level there will be no increase in the number of persons elit. This, as KAS will be set up as a result of critical reductions (avoiding duplication) of some strategic analysis structures in the MoD, UK, of MJ, some intelligence agencies etc. To radically improve the application dimension, it is an efficient finding for KAS to be subordinate to the Prime Minister, and to have two main pillars: (a) strategic assessments in the field of national security and defense, and (b) coordination and monitoring of inter-institutional responsibilities in meeting the objectives of the KSS, NATO, EU obligations, etc. It should be noted that, in addition to the importance and role at the national level, this project will have weight and will serve as one of the pillars of trust in strategic cooperation between the Republic of Albania and the US and NATO. However, if / after the political will is achieved, it will be necessary: ??"comprehensive and exhaustive consultation" with actors, factors and personalities within the country, strategic allies USA, NATO. Further, an "ad-hoc" group will have to be set up to finalize the concept, mission, structure and subordination of this agency. KEY TASKS: 1. Planning, developing and directing the National Security Strategic Review (SDR) process. On its findings the initiation and coordination of the SSK formulation process 2023-2030; 2. Periodic monitoring and reporting to the Prime Minister on the state of fulfillment of national security objectives (according to the inter-institutional matrix), civil emergency scenarios as well as on the fulfillment of the Republic of Albania's commitments within NATO, EU, UN, etc. 3. Preparation of the agenda of the meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Security Policy at the Prime Minister, as well as assistance according to the will of the President for the cases of KSC meetings. 4. Recommendation of draft positions for the Prime Minister on decision-making in the field of national security, NATO, EU, UN, etc. 5. Representation in forums, conferences, colleges, strategic research centers (national and international) on national, regional, NATO, EU and global security issues. Structure: I emphasize that KAS will not be a staff addition, nor an additional financial burden. On the contrary, in addition to adopting an integrated approach to the management of state responsibilities, KAS will "save staff and money" by building on the reduction / reform of all parallel structures of analysis, evaluation and monitoring in the institutions and security agencies that deal with similar missions, such as the Institute / Security Center in the MoD, the Police, open information collection and analysis structures in the MoJ, UK, SHISH, Civil Emergencies, as well as other agencies. Also, KAS can be expanded case by case (depending on the circumstances) of the most commanded (& paid) by other structures for the needs of this agency. KAS can be raised to the level of a secretariat with several main directorates, such as strategic assessments and threat weighing, monitoring the implementation of the objectives of the KSS, the Operational Situation (ZOS) and the Services Support Sector. This agency will necessarily have experts with strategic experience within the country and international structures, diplomacy, intelligence, senior military in reserve, State Police, etc. In addition, this project is in line with the constitutional space, as well as constitutes an active and responsible approach of state institutions in the field of security and national interests. It should also be noted that the concept, approach and integrated structure (ASK) is an experience applied very successfully in the US, Slovenia, the Baltic countries, etc. On the other hand, the establishment of KAS is a project and a difficult undertaking, related to the legal package, structural changes, the mentality of "subordination", the problem of cooperation in the execution of state responsibilities. Therefore, after / if this “draft project” would be approved in principle, for implementation in practice a joint inter-institutional group will have to be set up to determine a package of legal, structural, administrative changes until the establishment and functioning of KAS. Finally, I reiterate strongly that security reforms need neither protagonism, nor political privatization, nor great leaders, nor rambo-delusions, but love and humility for the homeland, vision, commitment to duty, high responsibility for national interests, trust in democratic values ??and towards the strategic partnership with the US, NATO. Seinor Expert for SK, the Region and NATO, Vice President of the Atlantic Council, former: Military Adviser to the President of the Republic of Albania, Vice President / National Representative in SHAPE / NATO