ABOARD ITALIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER CAVOUR (Italy): As Nato prepares to pull out of its longest and most faraway war in Afghanistan, its focus is back on Europe with a multitude of exercises planned, notably in the Mediterranean.

Currently taking place, “Brilliant Mariner 13” is Nato's most ambitious naval exercise in seven years, gathering 23 warships from six countries and 5,000 troops from eight nations.

From Sept 25 to Oct 6, a vast part of the Tyrrhenian Sea off the western coast of Italy has been cordoned off to allow forces to enact a classic naval confrontation, an air attack, a terrorist offensive, or even a rescue mission.

Alongside Italy's aircraft carrier Cavour are two submarines, three destroyers, four frigates and six minesweepers from Italy, Spain, Britain, Germany, France and Turkey. In total, 12 of the alliance's 28 members are taking part.

“These kinds of exercises will be one of our top priorities in the next few years,” said US General Philip Breedlove, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander.

“Nato is shifting from the deployed posture to a ready posture after 2014,” he added, referring to the end next year of the biggest operation the alliance has undertaken since its creation in 1949—the Afghan front where tens of thousands are deployed.

In all some 100,000 troops stand behind the banner of the Atlantic alliance, including in Kosovo and in Turkey, in case of a Syrian missile attack, and also in counter-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean.

“We are at the pinnacle of Nato operability, cohesiveness and capability because we have been fighting together for 12 years,” Breedlove said of the military input provided by member states.

But “if we don't do something, this capability will diminish over time.” Nato's return to its old heart of operations comes amid myriad of challenges.

In a key policy shift, the United States is relocating military resources to the Asia-Pacific region just as governments across Europe cut military spending and public opinion becomes increasingly sceptical over military intervention.

But there is no question of Nato lowering its guard, particularly in the Mediterranean region shaken by the events of the “Arab Spring” taking place on its southern flank.—AFP