Why David Cameron is the right man for NATO

29 Dec, 2016 18:55

Speculation abounds that former British Prime Minister David Cameron is in line to become the next secretary-general of NATO when former Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg steps down in 2018 or 2019.

While government sources have played down the reports, we here at RT think the former Tory leader is the right man for the job.

READ MORE: Could David Cameron become NATO’s next secretary-general?

After Cameron’s Brexit disaster, the Panama paper revelations, and his sudden resignation ahead of a damning report on his intervention in Libya, we say ‘who better to head the military alliance and take home a tax-free salary of €260,000 a year?’

Brexit

Cameron campaigned vigorously to persuade British voters to remain in the EU, even warning the electorate a month before the referendum that a vote for Brexit could threaten Europe’s military stability and lead to war.

Britain’s decision to leave the EU did not change its relationship with NATO, as Stoltenberg reassured the public following the result.

“I know that the United Kingdom's position in NATO will remain unchanged. The UK will remain a strong and committed NATO Ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our Alliance,” the NATO chief said.

Russia

Cameron, much like the current secretary general, also possesses the requisite attitude towards Russia. Following the Brexit vote, Cameron told the NATO summit in Warsaw that Europe must remain united in the face of the threat from Russia.

Stoltenberg, meanwhile, has consistently warned that Putin’s military force and nuclear capabilities pose a very real concern.

Libya

David Cameron’s role in the 2011 NATO-led bombing intervention in Libya has received widespread condemnation, with outgoing US president Barack Obama reportedly blaming Britain for creating a “s**t show” in Libya.  

Britain’s Foreign Affairs Committee also held Cameron responsible for the steps which led to the country becoming “a failed a state on the verge of all-out civil war,” in a report last September.

NATO chief at the time, however, Anders Fogh Rasmussen still defends the “model intervention.”

"It was a very successful military intervention," Rasmussen said, blaming a lack of follow-up by the international community for subsequent turmoil in the country.

Cameron has defended decisions he made over Libya, telling the parliament in January that  "Libyan people were given the opportunity" to build a stable democracy - and it was a matter of "huge regret" they had not taken it.