NAPLES, Italy – A special envoy of the Netherlands for Syria, Ambassador Nikolaos Van Dam, visited Allied Joint Force Command Naples to speak with staff members, April 18, 2016.

Ambassador Van Dam was invited to the headquarters because of his specialty in the Middle East region and his ability to inform NATO members assigned to JFC Naples on complex issues in the region.

"I don’t think we have to stress how important the Middle East is here at JFC Naples,” said Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Jose Luis Enrech, J5 Plans and Policy Branch Head. "We need expertise. We need experience…so if we are looking for an expert in the area, I do not think we can do any better than Ambassador Van Dam.”

The ambassador challenged JFC Naples staff members to consider the morality of pursuing solutions in the Middle East, and drew upon past and current actions taken by the international community for discussion points. Additionally, staff members asked questions about ongoing defense, security and geopolitical issues to further their understanding.

The visit was organized by the J9 Civil-Military Cooperation Branch as part of an academic outreach program aimed at educating NATO members assigned to JFC Naples.

Story and photos by Allied Joint Force Command Naples Public Affairs