20 NOVEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL NATO Following the July NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., and closing out 75 years of the North Atlantic Alliance, The Foreign Service Journal reached out to a number of those who have served as U.S. Ambassador to NATO with these questions: Why does NATO matter, and what value does it bring to the United States? We are pleased to present here the messages we received from current U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith and three former ambassadors to the Alliance: Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow, who served as Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2012-2016), the first American to hold that position, and earlier as the 18th U.S. ambassador to NATO; R. Nicholas Burns, the 19th U.S. ambassador to NATO; and Robert E. Hunter, the 17th U.S. ambassador to NATO. —Shawn Dorman, Editor in Chief NATO Today By Julianne Smith During my Senate con rmation hearing in the fall of 2021 to become the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, I outlined three chief priorities: strengthen the Alliance, revitalize America’s relationships with its closest Allies, and address some of NATO’s shortcomings (such as inadequate defense spending, capability gaps, and slow decision-making). What I had no way of knowing at the time was just how transformative the next three years would be for the Alliance. NATO’s response to Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has showcased the Alliance’s value, adaptability, and resilience. NATO is now stronger, bigger, and more united than ever. A little after 3 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2022, my phone rang. I was told that the war in Ukraine had started and that NATO would meet in an emergency session in just a few short hours. Thanks to weeks of consultations and detailed contingency planning in January and early February, NATO was ready. Within an hour, the Alliance launched both its Graduated Response Plans and elements of its NATO Response Force. Individual Allies redoubled their efforts—already set in motion weeks prior to the invasion—to reinforce the eastern flank with tens of thousands of troops and additional capabilities. Allies condemned Russia’s actions, and every member of the Alliance pledged humanitarian, financial, and security assistance for Ukraine. NATO announced a virtual summit with Allied leaders for the next day. This was NATO at its best: Allies coming together to share intelligence both before and at the start of Russia’s war, Allies enhancing deterrence in Eastern Europe, Allies providing urgent assistance to one of their closest partners, and Allies strongly united around a common purpose. Vladimir Putin no doubt assumed that NATO unity would start to crack, and Allies would eventually lose interest in Ukraine. This was a grave miscalculation. More than two years later, NATO Allies continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty. The Alliance has also taken a series of @75 COVER STORY
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