NATO becomes more powerful than Romans, Napoleon
(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proclaimed that the US-led alliance is the most powerful military force in history—surpassing even the Roman Empire and Napoleon’s army. Speaking at a press conference ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, Rutte called for increased defense spending to further enhance the bloc’s military strength, warning of a possible future threat from Russia.
“NATO is the most powerful defense alliance in world history. More powerful than the Roman Empire, more powerful than Napoleon’s empire,” Rutte declared. He stressed that continued investment is essential to maintain and strengthen the alliance, stating, “We must make NATO a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance.”
Rutte argued that the current 2% of GDP military spending benchmark is insufficient, proposing a new “defense investment plan” that he plans to unveil at the NATO summit in The Hague. He warned that without bolstering its military capabilities, NATO might be unprepared for a potential Russian attack within a few years.
Russia has repeatedly dismissed claims of posing a threat to NATO as unfounded, accusing the West of using such narratives to justify increasing military budgets and fueling tensions that could lead to wider conflict in Europe. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has drawn parallels between Western pressure on Russia today and the past ambitions of Napoleon and Hitler, arguing that the West aims to defeat Russia through its involvement in Ukraine.
Rutte’s remarks have drawn backlash online. Critics described his historical comparisons as inappropriate and provocative. Commentators on social media questioned the logic of likening NATO—a multinational alliance—to imperial powers. Media analyst Lionel compared Rutte’s rhetoric to that of Nazi-era Berlin, while Irish journalist Chay Bowes said the language resembled that of Hitler in 1939.
Historian John Laughland pointed out the inaccuracy of Rutte’s analogy, noting that the Roman and Napoleonic empires were centralized states, not alliances. British journalist Afshin Rattansi added that NATO’s history of military interventions makes it appear more as an aggressive force than a defensive alliance, accusing Rutte of being a Washington puppet.
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