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2024 Concordia Leadership Award: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

SpeakerS:

Gen. (Ret.) Wesley Clark, Founder, Renew America Together
Gen. (Ret.) Philip Breedlove, 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

“I can say there's never been a secretary general who's had a tougher time for a longer time, and done it better and more successfully.” Philip Breedlove
“NATO has been the most successful military alliance in the history of the world, for sure in our histories, in recorded recent history.” Wesley Clark
“The ultimate success of NATO is to prevent anyone from attacking us. That’s the success of NATO.” Jens Stoltenberg

Key takeaways:

  • NATO’s Adaptation to Growing Threats: NATO has increased its defense spending and established a more robust military presence in Eastern Europe, preparing for a full-scale invasion like the one seen in Ukraine.
  • The importance of NATO’s unified defense: NATO’s core mission remains the same as when it was founded in 1949: to preserve peace and prevent war. The alliance’s deterrence strategy has been a key factor in maintaining peace and security in Europe, particularly in light of rising tensions with Russia and China.
  • Strengthened transatlantic alliances: The unity of NATO members ensures a stronger military and economic presence, collectively constituting 50% of the global GDP and military might.
  • The role of smaller NATO members: Smaller countries like Iceland, Norway, and Turkey are play key roles in strengthening the alliance’s presence in critical regions, such as the North Atlantic and southern borders, contributing to the global security infrastructure.
  • Ukraine’s path to sovereignty: The Ukrainian resistance has exceeded expectations, and NATO’s military support is crucial to ensuring Ukraine’s survival as a sovereign, independent nation. 
  • The addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO: The accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO significantly strengthens the alliance, particularly with the 1,300 km border between Finland and Russia.
  • The future of NATO: The next 75 years of NATO will require continued unity and adaptation to new global threats, including those posed by authoritarian regimes like Russia and China.

Action items:

  • Continue strengthening NATO’s readiness: NATO should continue to invest in readiness, particularly in the eastern regions, ensuring that all members meet and exceed defense spending targets. 
  • Expand military support to Ukraine: The support should include both defensive and offensive capabilities, enabling Ukraine to deter Russian aggression and maintain territorial integrity.
  • Promote NATO’s global role: Reaffirm NATO’s importance in global security by engaging the U.S. and other NATO allies in ensuring that the alliance remains strong and cohesive. 
  • Encourage inclusive security strategies: Engage with smaller NATO members to enhance their strategic importance and reinforce their roles in regional security, ensuring that all countries within the alliance contribute to NATO’s mission.
  • Prepare for future global threats: In light of rising tensions with Russia and China, NATO must be proactive in adapting its strategy to address these new geopolitical challenges. 
  • Maintain public and political will for NATO support: This includes educating citizens about the importance of NATO and ensuring that countries meet their defense obligations to maintain the alliance’s strength.

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