An opinion piece in El Pais criticizes current EU and NATO leadership as their worst in decades, particularly in the context of recent foreign policy failures.
In a recent opinion piece published by El Pais, journalist Claudi Perez critiques the leadership of the EU and NATO, labeling it as the worst seen in decades. He argues that their current leadership is defined by incompetence and a troubling alignment with US interests, leading to neglect of European priorities. The commentary specifically targets EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, particularly in light of their responses to the escalating conflict in the Middle East involving the US and Israel.
The article highlights how Rutte’s comments during a Fox News interview in March demonstrated an alarming lack of political acumen, referring to Trump as the “leader of the free world” while showing a troubling eagerness to support US military actions, despite opposition from key NATO allies. This has reportedly damaged his credibility significantly, as Rutte’s stance seems to contradict the collective decision of several major EU nations, including Germany and France, which have publicly distanced themselves from supporting the US strikes. Perez's assessment raises questions about the overall direction of NATO and the EU, especially concerning their foreign policy effectiveness.
The opinion piece also underscores von der Leyen's advocacy for an “unbridled Atlanticism,
