INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES au NEWSLETTER SIGNUP My account Log Out Sep 30, 1:57 PM AEST Business News Sports Technology Entertainment NEWSLETTER My account Log Out Australia edition Business News Sports Technology Entertainment Editions Australia India International Singapore United Kingdom United States NEWSLETTER Follow Us Editions Australia India International Singapore United Kingdom United States Politics & Policy Trump To Putin: The Key Challenges Facing Rutte At NATO By Max DELANY Published 09/30/24 AT 1:57 PM AEST Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Share on Flipboard Share on Pocket If Trump is re-elected, Rutte will need all his diplomatic skills to ward off any weakening of Washington's role AFP Dutch former prime minister Mark Rutte will take the reins as NATO's new secretary general on Tuesday at a perilous time for the Western military alliance. With Russia's war in Ukraine raging through a third year, its leading power the United States set for a crunch election, and China rising, NATO is grappling with major challenges. Here are the key issues set to fill Rutte's in-tray as he enters office: Looming over the 32-nation alliance is the potential return of former US president Donald Trump to the White House after November elections.
The volatile ex-reality TV star reportedly mulled withdrawing the United States from NATO during his first term -- and threatened not to protect allies that do not spend enough on defence. Outgoing N.