HUMAN SECURITY – A CROSS-CUTTING TOPIC IN MILITARY OPERATIONS. A STUDY CASE FOR HUMINT IN NATO

Cross-cutting topics encompass a range of subjects that can impact a military mission yet lie beyond the core responsibilities of military formation. Various capabilities, educational disciplines, headquarters' branches and the chain of command, or operational processes and functions, must consider these cross-cutting topics during the planning, preparation, execution, and evaluation of a mission. Some of these topics carry significant importance due to their specific sensitivity, potentially influencing the mission's outcome. It is a relevant theme for an effects-based approach to operations, where commanders must harmonize kinetic and non-kinetic actions to achieve a pursued objective in conditions of legality. From the perspective of NATO Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) policy, several topics – the extensive civilian protection; the condition of children in crises and military conflicts; gender considerations - women, peace, and security; the protection of the cultural property; and building integrity (practically, the components of the human security concept recently promoted in NATO) – are approached as cross-cutting aspects in operations, analysis factors in the military decision-making process. The paper considers the integration of a human security model in military planning and advocates education and training on the larger concept of human security for specific military branches, particularly those interacting with civilians, with emphasis on Human Intelligence (HUMINT).