NATO’s ‘Trump Whisperer’ Faces Blowback Over Support for Iran War
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Mark Rutte, NATO secretary general since October 2024, is known for his ability to balance public praise and private counsel to former President Trump, crucial for maintaining U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine.
- Rutte has accepted some criticism for his efforts to keep Trump aligned with NATO, including calling Trump the alliance’s “Daddy” before a key summit.
- Recently, Rutte's open backing of Trump’s decision to join Israel in a war against Iran has sparked sharper criticism from NATO allies.
- Many NATO members view the war as unnecessary and illegal under international law, with Germany's President Steinmeier explicitly condemning it.
- Critics argue that Rutte’s support for this conflict exceeds his role as NATO secretary general, turning him into a partisan advocate for Trump and an unpopular war.
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