‘Der Trump-Flüsterer’: Kann Mark Rutte die NATO retten

Minister of Foreign Affairs Halbe Zijlstra, had lied about attending a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rutte survived that scandal, too. “He’s like Teflon, nothing sticks to him,” said Elias.  Rutte’s ability to navigate crisis after crisis has earned him the nickname “the magician” in Dutch politics. But some say his success is more a result of his political instincts than any sleight of hand. “He’s a master at reading the room and knowing when to act,” said Kolks. “He’s always one step ahead.”  Rutte’s political acumen has also been on display in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. While other European leaders faced backlash for their handling of the crisis, Rutte’s approval ratings soared. “He’s been able to communicate a sense of calm and control, even in the face of uncertainty,” said Dekker. “People trust him to lead.”  But as Rutte eyes the top job at NATO, he may find that his political skills are put to the test like never before. The alliance is facing challenges on multiple fronts, from an increasingly assertive Russia to a rising China and a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan. And with the U.S. increasingly focused on competition with China, NATO’s future may depend on its ability to adapt to a new era of great power competition.  If Rutte does become the next secretary-general, he will have to navigate these challenges while also managing the competing interests of NATO’s 30 member countries. It’s a daunting task, but those who know him say Rutte is up to the challenge. “He’s always been a pragmatist,” said Elias. “He knows how to get things done.” And as Rutte himself once said: “The devil is in the detail.”

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‘The Trump whisperer’: Can Mark Rutte save NATO?

‘THE TRUMP WHISPERER’ The Dutch prime minister is a top contender to lead the alliance in a period of unprecedented turbulence. By EVA HARTOG and STUART LAU in Brussels Embroidery by Nicole Chui for POLITICO Photo by Merlijn Doomernik/Lumen February 22, 2024 7:59 pm CET It’s been more than five years since Mark Rutte earned the nickname “the Trump whisperer.” It was July 2018 and Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, had ushered everyone but the leaders, ambassadors and a handful of staff out of the room at the military alliance’s headquarters. Minutes earlier, Donald Trump had derailed a discussion about Georgia and Ukraine with a tirade warning the United States would “go our own way” if other countries didn’t start

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