NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg steps down and leaves the world’s biggest security organization in the control of former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte

Mark Rutte, the affable and meticulous former Dutch premier, has a daunting task ahead to keep the defense alliance a global force.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will hand the reins over to the former Dutch prime minister after 10 years in office. Rutte takes the helm at a critical moment for the alliance.

An EU veteran with an established relationship with Donald Trump, ex-Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is well-placed to tackle NATO’s challenges, defence experts have told Euronews.

A laid-back people person known for holding firm when things get tough, Dutchman Mark Rutte will need all those skills to lead NATO through one of its most challenging times.

Mark Rutte takes the helm at NATO on October 1, after more than a dozen years as Dutch prime minister. He'll need all his diplomatic skills to manage the alliance in challenging times.