STUTTGART, Germany — NATO activated a new quick reaction force this week as part of a move to update defense plans in Europe, alliance military officials said.
The Allied Response Force, which was stood up Monday during a ceremony in Solbiate Olona, Italy, brings capabilities that were absent from the NATO Response Force that it replaces.
The new unit, known as the ARF, includes cyber and space force elements. It also involves more light infantry troops capable of moving out on short notice.
“This development is crucial for the deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic area, ensuring NATO is prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any threat in an evolving security environment,” Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe said in a statement Monday. 
The ARF is part of a broader modernization effort happening at NATO, which is building a force model that involves some 300,000 alliance troops operating at a higher state of readiness.
The ARF also functions as a NATO spearhead element and gives the top military commander, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, a multinational force that can be deployed on short notice, SHAPE said.
The NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy in Solbiate Olona will lead the ARF for the next three years, SHAPE said.
“The ARF can deliver forces, fires and effects within 10 days to either strengthen deterrence or provide strategic dilemma to adversaries,” SHAPE said.
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Retired Admiral James Stavridis served in the U.S
and as former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO
He says leaders have to learn how to think
decide &mdash; and act &mdash; in moments of high stress and danger
“We see Ukraine and Russia locked into a war
We see two leaders who have risked it all," he says
is risking his future and his nation's future in many ways
who is risking it all in a very different way and for very different reasons.”
Admiral James Stavridis knows what it takes to make decisions in battle
Stavridis says the things needed to make good decisions in war are not that different from what's needed to make good decisions when facing challenges of everyday life
From TO RISK IT ALL: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision. Published by arrangement with Penguin Press, a member of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2022 by James Stavridis.
On writing a book about lessons we can draw from naval decisions
"Example would be an active shooter situation. How about an automobile accident late at night? You're driving by it. What about if you were on a beach and someone suddenly is drowning, and there are no lifeguards this summer, because of lack of lifeguards? But you're a pretty good swimmer. You know, these are moments of real crisis. And I think, again, the lessons from the book are quite transportable.”
On an example of a split-second decision spilling into a larger conflict 
"Something told me to hold back. My captain reached over and kind of put his hand on my forearm and we held back, knowing that if it was an Iranian, the possibility existed that it could have attacked us. We didn't take the shot. We didn't shoot down that air contact that we saw very clearly on our radar. That turned out to be an Iranian civilian aircraft, an Airbus full of civilians. We held back and didn't take that shot.
On tactics for good decision-making in American politics
"Too many of our leaders seem locked into these positions, despite the fact that poll after poll shows the American public has a positive view toward many of these kinds of restrictions. So I think our politics could do with less emotion, more sensible gathering of intelligence, differentiation of fact and assumption, and the ability to change minds when facts were doing so."
On how to create a system where the best decisions can be made 
</a><a href="/inside/staff/meghna-chakrabarti">Meghna Chakrabarti</a> Host, On PointMeghna Chakrabarti is the host of On Point.
</a><a href="/inside/staff/stefano-kotsonis">Stefano Kotsonis</a> Senior Producer
On PointStefano Kotsonis is a senior producer for WBUR&#x27;s On Point