In today's ever more complex and interdependent world some ‘intangibles' of security are actually quite ‘tangible’. Understanding a wide range of relevant factors is essential if security is to be achieved and maintained. Whereas NATO's role is sometimes stated to be responding to conflicts it would surely be helpful if it also had a role in foreseeing and preventing conflicts. A good example of this would be an effort to curtail the selling (on the part of under paid soldiers) of surplus small arms in former Soviet states, which the author has herself witnessed. Networks of various parties- governmental, military, NGOs, etc.- can aid in this, and are indeed required for these efforts to be successful.