2012 Chicago Summit

2012 Chicago Summit
Name	2012 Chicago Summit
Caption	Official logo
Date	20–21 May 2012
Venue	McCormick Place
Cities	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Participants	60 delegations
Chair	Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Website	http://www.chicagosummit.gov

2012 Chicago Summit. The 2012 Chicago Summit was the 25th formal meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of heads of state and government. Hosted by President Barack Obama in his hometown of Chicago, the summit was a pivotal event for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as it charted its future following major operations in Libya and Afghanistan. Key discussions centered on alliance capabilities, partnerships, and a framework for concluding the ISAF mission.

Background and context

The summit was convened during a period of strategic transition for the Atlantic alliance. It followed the 2010 Lisbon summit, where members adopted a new Strategic Concept, and occurred shortly after the conclusion of Operation Unified Protector in Libya. With the war in Afghanistan entering a critical phase, planning for the post-2014 transition was a dominant concern. The choice of Chicago, a global city in the Midwestern United States, underscored the United States' commitment to NATO and its European partners amidst fiscal pressures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Agenda and key topics

The formal agenda was structured around three core pillars: Smart Defense, partnerships, and Afghanistan. The Smart Defense initiative, championed by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, aimed to promote multinational cooperation on critical capabilities like AGS and air-to-air refueling amid defense budget cuts. On Afghanistan, leaders aimed to solidify a roadmap for transferring full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces by the end of 2014. Discussions also covered strengthening ties with global partners, including nations from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the EU.

Participants and delegations

The summit gathered leaders from all 28 NATO member states, including President François Hollande, Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Prime Minister David Cameron. Key partner nations contributing to the ISAF mission, such as Australia, Japan, and Sweden, also sent high-level delegations. Notable attendees included President Hamid Karzai and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The host delegation was led by Barack Obama and included Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Outcomes and declarations

The summit produced the **Chicago Summit Declaration**, which endorsed the **ISAF Post-2014 Mission** and launched the **Connected Forces Initiative**. A major milestone was the declaration of **Interim BMDS Capability**, marking the initial operational readiness of NATO's missile defense system. Leaders also endorsed the **Chicago Summit Defence Package**, a set of multinational projects under the Smart Defense banner. Furthermore, they affirmed a firm commitment to the **Open Door Policy**, welcoming progress by aspirant countries like Georgia.

Security and logistical arrangements

Security for the event was an unprecedented undertaking, coordinated by the United States Secret Service, the Chicago Police Department, and the Illinois National Guard. A massive security perimeter was established around McCormick Place and the downtown hotel zone, affecting traffic and public transit. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed temporary flight restrictions over Chicago, and the United States Coast Guard patrolled the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The summit's organization was managed by the **NATO Host Committee**, chaired by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Media coverage and public reaction

The event attracted over 2,500 journalists from global outlets like BBC News, CNN, and Al Jazeera. While official proceedings received extensive coverage, significant media attention focused on large-scale public protests organized by groups like the National Nurses United and anti-war coalitions, which resulted in several arrests. Local reaction in Chicago was mixed, with business leaders highlighting the economic boost while some residents criticized disruptions. Analysis in publications like The Economist and Foreign Affairs debated the summit's tangible achievements for NATO's future relevance.

Category:NATO summits Category:2012 in Chicago Category:May 2012 events in the United States