With every piece of information pointing to a closer integration of the operation systems of NATO member states, Portugal must give its contribution to the new project and not lag behind. As one of the oldest and most dedicated members of the Atlantic Alliance, Portugal assumes a position that has continually favored it throughout most of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. But understanding the forthcoming changes is highly relevant to the future participation of the country in the reformed NATO. As most small states, Portugal needs to become further integrated in the Atlantic platform in order to see its national interests fulfilled. The lack of a highly modern 21st century military is not directly linked to the absence of active participation.

A deeper commitment to Atlantic security is thus necessary, notwithstanding the recognition of today's differentiated threats to the latter. Although nuclear weapons still pose potential risks, today's perils range from armed extremist groups, to everything that is aimed at disrupting western societies. Significant steps must be taken by all member states in order to become fully protected against such new perils, ranging from terrorism, cyber attacks, climate change, energy security, while understating the gains of the projection of power to places where these threats emanate from, such as Afghanistan.

On its way to assure its security and defense in November, Portugal must make sure the JFCL Headquarters remain in Lisbon, which gives it a significant boost in terms of responsibility and power projection within NATO, enough to assure its interest in other places, especially in the South Atlantic and the Mediterranean.