Donald Trump, left, and former Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte enter the White House in Washington, in July 2018.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergNATO’s New Chief Prepares to Take on Putin With Dutch Pragmatism
Mark Rutte, the affable and meticulous former Dutch premier, has a daunting task ahead to keep the defense alliance a global force.
Just a few years ago, NATO was reeling after being slammed by Donald Trump and dismissed as “brain dead” by French President Emmanuel Macron. Now, after it expanded to counter the threat from Russia, the challenge of keeping the Cold War alliance a geopolitical force is in the hands of Dutchman Mark Rutte.
Affable in public but meticulous behind the scenes, the former prime minister of the Netherlands became secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Tuesday as the 32-nation defense pact enters a pivotal period.