In his newly released memoir, *On My Watch: Leading NATO in a Time of War*, former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg offers a candid account of his decade-long tenure (2014–2024) at the helm of the alliance. The book delves into the intricate and often contentious relationship between NATO and Turkey, highlighting pivotal moments such as the downing of a Russian jet in 2015, Turkey’s military incursions into Syria, and the alliance’s enlargement debates. Stoltenberg, now Norway’s finance minister, underscores Turkey’s strategic importance to NATO while revealing deep internal divisions within the alliance during crises. The memoir also sheds light on NATO’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the challenges of managing relationships with key leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron. Stoltenberg’s narrative provides a behind-the-scenes look at high-stakes diplomacy, policy disagreements, and the delicate balance of power within NATO. The book is a testament to the complexities of international leadership during a period of unprecedented global instability.
Corn, canapes and shouting matches: How Erdogan and Stoltenberg’s bromance saved Nato
