On Monday, July 12th, President Joe Biden will host outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House. The meeting comes amid heightened competition for the position of Stoltenberg’s successor, as his term as NATO Secretary-General is set to end in September.
The NATO Secretary-General is responsible for leading the organization and representing its interests on the global stage. The position is highly coveted, with candidates from various member states vying for the role. The selection process involves consultations between member states, and the final decision is made by consensus.
Stoltenberg, a former Prime Minister of Norway, has served as NATO Secretary-General since 2014. During his tenure, he has overseen a period of increased tensions between NATO and Russia, as well as significant changes in the organization’s structure and capabilities.
One of Stoltenberg’s key achievements has been the implementation of the “Four 30s” initiative, which aims to have NATO forces ready to respond to a potential threat within 30 days. He has also overseen the expansion of NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe, including the deployment of multinational battlegroups in Poland and the Baltic states.
As Stoltenberg prepares to step down, several candidates have emerged as potential successors. These include Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, former Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, and former Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell.
The selection of Stoltenberg’s successor comes at a time of heightened competition between NATO and other global powers, particularly Russia and China. NATO has been increasingly focused on countering Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, while also seeking to strengthen its partnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence.
The meeting between President Biden and Secretary-General Stoltenberg is expected to focus on these issues, as well as NATO’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in the Middle East and North Africa.
Overall, the selection of NATO’s next Secretary-General will be a crucial decision for the organization, as it seeks to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. The meeting between President Biden and Secretary-General Stoltenberg is an important opportunity to discuss these challenges and lay the groundwork for a successful transition to new leadership.
