The Price of Praise: NATO's Flattering Strategy with Trump The recent NATO summit in Turkey was a masterclass in diplomatic juggling, with Secretary General Mark Rutte using every trick in the book to keep President Donald Trump onside.
From calling him "dear Donald" to touting his defense spending achievements as the "Trump trillion," Rutte's approach has been widely criticized for being overly flattering and lacking substance.
Rutte's strategy is rooted in a pragmatic understanding of the alliance's dynamics. For decades, Europe has relied on American security guarantees, and NATO's continued relevance depends on the U. S.