The Foreign Service Journal, April 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2019 23 FOCUS A nother big anniversary for NATO. Another big opportunity for the critics and skeptics—be they in the White House, the Kremlin or in the media—to take to the megaphones. Millions of words will be written and broad- cast about NATO. Occasionally they will be helpful and positive, as they should be. Others will follow a cynical pattern typical of past anniversaries. In 2003 Professor Sir Michael Howard at the Royal United Security Institute cataloged the books on his shelf with titles like NATO – The Final Crisis, NATO – The Impossible Dilemma, NATO – The Troubled Partnership (by Henry Kissinger, no less, in 1965) and many others. He said his favorite was The End of The Alliance, written by Robert Steel in 1962. Be ready, then, this year for more of the same. Yet the remark- able and durable alliance that is NATO deserves much better. In Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG was secretary general of NATO from 1999 to 2003 and British defense secretary from 1997 to 1999. Before entering the House of Lords, he was a Labour Member of the House of Commons for 21 years. He was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 by President George W. Bush. At 70, the Atlantic alliance is a unique triumph of inter-state cooperation. What should be its “to-do” list for the future? BY GEORGE ROBERTSON Reinforcing NATO for the Future ON NATO AT 70 NATO Headquarters, July 2018. U.S.DEPARTMENTOFSTATE