On July 11, 2016 the Atlantic Council hosted a private roundtable with General Denis Mercier, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation on “Unwrapping the NATO Warsaw Summit.” Gen. Mercier briefed out the key deliberations and conclusions of the Alliance’s July 8-9 Warsaw Summit. A select group of experts, including Julie Smith of the Center for a New American Security, as well as Brig. Gen. Matthew Brand (Ret.) and Franklin D. Kramer of the Atlantic Council, provided insights on the strengths and weaknesses of the Summit’s outcomes and how they will impact NATO’s long-term transformation moving forward. The event convened a range of senior experts from Washington’s foreign policy community to discuss these important issues as the Alliance transitions to implement its decisions.

Prior to his current position, Gen. Mercier served as senior military adviser for the Minister of Defense of France. He was also the minister’s special adviser for Operation Unified Protector over Libya and became chief of staff of the French Air Force in 2012. Previously, he commanded the French Air Force Academy, served as head of the plans division at the French Air Force headquarters, and was acting chief of staff for budget and performance. He was also appointed as the commander of Reims Air force base, integrating the Mirage F1CR squadrons under his command into ISAF in Afghanistan.