Who will be at the helm of the future of global security?
Recently, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's term was extended until October 2024, a news that has sparked widespread speculation and heated discussions. According to people familiar with the matter, this decision is a "compromise" reached within NATO, and Stoltenberg himself has not previously expressed a willingness to remain in office. Countries have different opinions on the choice of the new secretary general, and in the end they can only choose to continue the current one, indicating that NATO may usher in a "change of leadership" in October this year.
Biden of the United States has proposed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is also Minister of Defense, as the ideal candidate, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected it. In the face of Germany's resolute opposition, the United States is unlikely to insist on von der Leyen. However, the news on the 21st shows that after intense discussions and consultations, two-thirds of the countries have supported Dutch Prime Minister Rutte as a co-candidate. Biden's support in the United States has earned Rutte more support, making him a popular candidate in the spotlight.
Rutte, who served at Unilever, announced his resignation as party leader in July last year, making him eligible for NATO's position as secretary general. It is worth mentioning that the United States** has particularly emphasized Rutte's relationship with China, which has aroused widespread attention and speculation from the outside world.
Although Rutte may face many challenges, including dealing with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, setting a defense budget and adjusting the security architecture, he is likely to be constrained by the strategic direction of the United States if he becomes NATO's secretary general. In addition, the lack of consent from countries such as Turkey is also a major challenge for him.
The commentary believes that if Rutte becomes secretary general, he may become a disseminator of Western hegemonic ideas, rather than an independent voice in the true sense. He may be playing out the script set by the United States, rather than exercising his right to be autonomous.
This battle for candidates within NATO is affecting changes in the global security landscape. Whoever ultimately takes the helm of NATO will have far-reaching implications for the global security situation. Let's wait and see how history develops!