Incoming NATO chief Mark Rutte this week brought new leadership to one of the world’s most powerful-looking roles – leading the nuclear-armed Atlantic alliance.
But even though the former Dutch Prime Minister wanted to shake things up after taking over from Jens Stoltenberg, he probably couldn’t.
The reality of the NATO job means Rutte will lead a risk-averse civilian bureaucracy, in which hard power ultimately rests with member states and above all the United States.
And in many ways NATO’s 32 countries have chosen more of the same – by replacing one mild-mannered, middle-aged, Northern European male former premier for another – to steer the alliance in times of trouble.
“In such a difficult geopolitical situation, it is very important to maintain continuity and a common foreign policy and security line,” a senior NATO diplomat told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
During his more than 10 years in office, Stoltenberg won praise for his calm leadership of the sometimes disruptive coalition.
The Norwegians helped keep then-US President Donald Trump on board, throwing his weight behind Ukraine while ensuring NATO was not dragged into a war with Russia and sweeping changes to the alliance’s security to confront Moscow. Did.
Former NATO senior Jamie Shea said, “The allies were looking for someone who had many of the same qualities as Stoltenberg and moved in the same direction: prime minister, well-connected, long experience, good address book, Have handled Trump.” Officially now with Chatham House Think Tank.
Rutte, a favorite of the major powers America, Britain, France and Germany, ticked all those boxes.
An experienced man who led the complex coalition in the Netherlands for 13 years, he has ample experience that can be used to keep countries with disparate – and often competing – interests on the same page.
“He is a consensus builder with an unwavering commitment to the transatlantic alliance,” a senior US official said.
The Dutchman has been a staunch supporter of Kiev and was not afraid to speak openly to Trump, who could make a comeback after the elections in November.
Consensus straitjacket?
Apart from the similarities, diplomats say the straight-talking Rutte should bring a breath of fresh air to the alliance after Stoltenberg’s long tenure.
But Rutte will likely struggle to push through major changes.
While the job of running the coalition sounds like a powerful role, the secretary general actually heads a civilian bureaucracy of only about 1,500 staff.
Military power rests with the member states – primarily in the hands of an American general as supreme Allied commander in Europe.
With NATO chiefs often acting as the organization’s spokesperson-in-chief, Stoltenberg is known to carefully analyze the position he can stake out.
All decisions in NATO require the consent of every member and the person at the top is bound by how far the allies – and especially Washington – are willing to go.
The direction for the next year was set at the last summit in Washington in July.
Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund think tank said, “NATO is a consensus organization. Everything, absolutely everything, from the most mundane to the most strategic, is decided by consensus.”
“So the scope for individual Secretaries General to reshape what NATO does and how it does it is clearly very limited.”
That said, Rutte has some levers to try to push through priorities.
“The secretary-general can be helpful in bringing issues onto the agenda for discussion,” Lesser said.
“It’s a really big role.”
Stoltenberg used his platform to pressure allies to support Ukraine, pay more attention to the impact of climate change or strengthen ties with partners in the Asia-Pacific.
Diplomats say one area Rutte could emphasize is efforts to improve coordination between the EU and NATO – which has long been hampered by alliance member Turkey’s standoff with Cyprus.
But Rutte’s main chance to shape the office will likely come when the political situation turns stormy – with Trump’s return to office or a major upheaval in Ukraine.
Then he will need all his diplomatic guidance – and long contacts list – to listen to NATO’s diverse leaders and maintain their commitment.
“The skills and personality of a secretary general can make a difference, especially in circumstances when a coalition is being tested,” Lesser said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
