Rob Bauer was the highest soldier at NATO between 2021 and 2025. He experienced from close by how the Russians invaded Ukraine and has since tried to shake the Netherlands awake. That goes very badly. “The Americans are Sick and Tired that Europe is behaving that way.”
When Bauer is in his office of NATO on Wednesday evening 23 February 2022, he knows: “Last night I will get a phone call with the announcement that the invasion started.”
The Admiral Buiten Dienst waved at NATO last January. Together with his right hand Eleonora Russell, he wrote the book Who wants peace must prepare for war .
The passage about the Russian invasion in Ukraine is in the first chapter. Bauer knows: war is back in Europe. “The competition between the superpowers is being fought again on the battlefield. And Russia is again a threat to the alliance,” he writes.
Are we finally really awake in the Netherlands? “We are waking up seriously.” After a short break: “People are really awake at a number of levels, I think. But whether everyone is already awake, including the Dutch citizen? That is not yet the case.”
At what level are you referring to? “I think we have been awake in the military world for several years. In NATO people are really awake. The Minister of Defense is really awake. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is really awake. The prime minister is really awake. Those are people who are really dealing with the subject.”
“But the further you go from there, the sooner people will say,” Well, there are other problems, guys. ” But the question is how many wars you still have to have and how close they have to get before people understand that we have to do something. “
“Again: everything that NATO does, including the 5 percent discussion, is based on preventing a war and not to wage war. That is many times more expensive. Ukraine spends 35 percent of his gross domestic product on war. So it’s really a good deal to invest in deterrence.”
Should NATO no longer show the muscles? “NATO is a defensive alliance that should provide deterrence. You must have the right military capacity to scare the opponent. But also, if necessary, to defeat him.”
“So it is not just a person looking at seeing angry. If that person crosses the border, you must also be able to beat him. You have to show that by practicing. You show the opponent that you can do that.”
“With deterrence we have convinced the Russians for 76 years in one way or another that we are better than them. That they will lose a war with us.”
You speak in a past tense. Do we no longer have that in order? “Rutte (Secretary-General of NATO, ed.) In said: That deterrence is still there. But if we don’t do anything else, if we don’t get in motion now, then we have lost that capacity of deterrence between three and five years. I agree with him.”
Where does that end off and the aggression starts? “You cannot prevent countries that are aggressive and want to do ugly things with you. But if you ensure that your house has the best locks on the door, then the burglar continues.”
“It is the combination of resilience, deterrence and being able to defend yourself. So that is not about aggression.”
Putin has not prevented from invading Ukraine. “Ukraine is not a member of NATO. So to say that NATO’s deterrence has not worked, it is not correct. That is very silly, but that’s how it is. And the task of NATO is not to protect everyone in the world. We are not the thousand diving cloth of the world.”
Are the Baltic states, which is NATO member, assured of that support? “The answer from mine is very simple: yes! It is simple, because it is a treaty obligation that has since put 32 Member States their signature.”
“That unity is our greatest strength. As long as Putin thinks there are no hairline cracks in that unity, he doesn’t dare to. But because it is our greatest strength, it is of course also the point of approach for the opponent.”
Is ‘pointing point’ a euphemism for weakness? “It is not a weakness, but of course it is the point where he (Putin, ed.) Tries to pick us up. He is looking for cracks in the house and he tries to force those cracks. And then he will talk to Hungary about the lower oil and gas prices, for example.”
Surely the US President Trump helps with that? He opens NATO and Article 5 (an attack on one NATO country, is an attack on all NATO countries, ed.) . “That is indeed not helpful in any way. But I am really convinced that the United States will meet that treaty obligation.”
What do you base that conviction? “If we continue to say that we don’t believe in NATO, NATO no longer exists either. Because NATO is a promise to each other.”
“I believe it works. If we stop with it, then it won’t work anymore.”
The idea in Europe that the Americans have abandoned us is based on something? “We have abandoned the Americans for decades! Not only because we have paid too little, but because we did not do what we have promised.”
“But understand me well, the United States also need Europe. If they get more and more arguing with China, they need a stable Europe. Europe is a very large trading partner of the United States. Despite that whole discussion about rates. You can argue occasionally.”
But Trump is very unpredictable. “We love to talk about Trump. But take a look in the mirror. Ask yourself the question: Did I do everything I have promised? If that answer is no, we’re not going to talk about Trump.”
“We have seen NATO for thirty years as a 112-central. Then we called if there was a problem, and said,” We are in the shit, can someone come? ” And then we thought someone else came to save us. “
So that unrest from Trump in relation to NATO is actually a kind of blessing in disguise ? “It is actually a miracle that it took so long. The Americans, including the Democrats, are Sick and Tired that Europe and Canada behave like that. So we have to get our shit in order. We have to do what we have promised.”
Have you ever been addressed about that at the NATO headquarters when you worked there as a Dutch commander of the armed forces? “No. Suppose you are the American commander of the armed forces and you say to me:” Rob, Why the Fuck Do You Pay So Little? “Then I say:” I don’t want more. Don’t worry. I ask my minister and my prime minister every day. But they don’t want to give me anything. “
“It is not the fault of those commanders that they will not get that money.”
What happens if we don’t get that new NATO standard of 5 percent quickly? In the Lower House, the discussion is being held that the extra expenses should not be at the expense of the welfare state. “I heard Timmermans (leader GroenLinks-Pvda, ed.) Say that. I find that fascinating. There must be 19 billion euros and that is a lot of money. Don’t get me wrong . Politicians want that, but nobody can feel that.”
Do you sound surprised about that political discussion? “I think there is no leadership. You can’t say to your voters:” We want it, but you can’t feel it. ” You don’t have to tell bullshit. “
Is this still part of waking up that we were talking about in the beginning? “Yes, it is still the feeling that it is a choice. As if it is a luxury. So: are we going on winter sports and summer vacation, or are we going once a year?”
How do you get the countries that don’t get the NATO standard in motion? “We have been treated very carefully for a long time. So (put on a soft voice):” Would you perhaps have a battalion for Afghanistan? I hardly dare to ask. But we really need one. “
“Now we say:” guys, that battalion is not there yet. In a week it is! “
Rob Bauer was the Highest-Ranking Military Officer at Nato Between 2021 and 2025. Hey Witnessed Firsthand How the Russians Invaded Ukrine and Has Been Trying to Wake Up The Netherlands Ever Since. That is only happening gradually. “The Americans are sick and tired of Europe Behavior Like This.”
When Bauer is in His Nato Office on Wednesday Evening, February 23, 2022, He knows: “Tonight I am Going to get a Phone call the message that the invasion has started.”
The Retired Admiral Left Nato Last January. Together with his right-hand man Eleonora Russell, hey wrote the book Who Wants Peace Must Prepare for War .
The Passage About the Russian Invasion of Ukraine is in the First Chapter. Bauer Knows: War is back in Europe. “The competition between the major powers is being fought out again on the battlefield. And Russia is Once again a threat to the alliance,” he’s writes.
Are we in the Netherlands Finally Really Awake Now? “We are seriously waking up.” After a short pause: “At a number of levels, I think people are already really awake. But is everyone awake yet, including the Dutch citizen? That is not yet the case.”
What level are you referring to? “In the military world, I think we have leg really awake for several years. In Nato, People are really awake. The minister of Defense is Really Awake. The minister of Foreign Affairs is Really Awake. The Prime Minister is Really Awake. These are People.” “
“But the further you get away from that, the soner people will say:” Well, there are also other problems, guys. ” But the Question is how many wars you still have to have and how close they have to get before people understand that we have to do something. “
“Again: Everything That Nato Does, Including the 5 percent discussion, is based on prevention a war and not on wagging war. That is a many times more Expensive. Ukraine spends 35 percent or its gross domestic product on war. So it is really a deal to invest in deeterenRence.”
Shouldn’t Nato Flex its muscles a bit more? “NATO is a defensive alliance that must ensure Deterrence. You must have the right military capacity to deterity the opponent. But also, if necessary, to be able to defeat him.”
“So it’s not just looking at some angry. If that person crosses the border, you also have to be able to beat him up. You have to show that by practicing. You show the opponent that you can do that.”
“With Deterrence, we have somehow convinced the russians for 76 years that we are better than them. That they will lose a war with us.”
You speak in the past tens. Do we no longer have that in order now? “Rutte (Secretary-General of Nato, ed.) Has Said: That Deterrence is still there. But if we don’t do anything else, if we don’t move now, we will lose that deterrence capability in three to five year with him.”
Where does that deterrence end and aggression begin? “You cannot prevention Countries from Being Aggressive and Wanting to Do Nasty Things to you. But If you make sure your house the best locks on the Door, The Burglar Will Walk Past.”
“It is the Combination of Resilience, Deterrence and Being Able to Defend Yourself. So that’s not about aggression.”
It did not prevent Putin from invading ukraine. “Ukraine is not a member of nato. So to say that nato’s Deterrence has not worked is not correct. That is very unfortunate, but that is how it is. And Nato’s task is not to protect everyone in the world. We are not the world’s jack-of-all-pro-proof
Are the Baltic States, which are nato members, assured of that support? “My answer is very simple: Yes! It is simple, because it is a treaty obligation that 32 member States have now signed.”
“That unity is our greatest strength. As long as putin think that are no cracks in that unity, he does not dare to do it.
Is ‘Point of Attack’ a Euphemism for Weakness? “It is not a weakness, but it is of course the point where he (Putin, ed.) Is trying to get us. He is Looking for Cracks in the house and he is trying to force those cracks. And then, for example, Talks to Hungary Oil and Gas prices.”
Doesn’t us President Trump himself Help with that? The openly questions nato and article 5 (an Attack One Nato Country is an Attack on All Nato Countries, ed.) Under Discussion. “That is indeed not helpful in any way. But I am really convinced that the united States will fulfill that treaty obligation.”
What do you base that conviction on? “If we keep count each other that we don’t believe in Nato, then Nato no Longer Exists. Because Nato is a promise to each other.”
“I believe it works. If we stop doing that, then it won” t works anymore. “
Isn’t the Idea in Europe that the Americans have abandoned us based on Something? “We have abandoned the americans for decades! Not only because we have paid too little, but because we have not done what we promised.”
“But Understand Me Well, The United States also Needs Europe. If they are increasingly arguing with China, then Need a stable Europe. Europe is a very large trading partner of the united States. Despite all the argue occasiony.
But Trump is very unpredictable. “We like to chat about Trump. But look in the mirror. Ask yourself the question: Have I done everything I promised? If the answar is no, we are not going to talk about trump.”
“We have seen nato as a 112 center for thirty years. Then we call when there was a problem and said:” We are in the shit, can some come? ” And then we thought some save would save us. “
So is that Unrest from Trump in Relation to Nato Actually A Kind of Blessing in Disguise ? “It’s actual a miracle that it last so long. The americans, including the democrats, are sick and tired of Europe and Canada Behavior like this. So we have to get our shit in order. We have what we promised.”
Have you ever leg Addressed about this at Nato Headquarters, when you worked there as Dutch commander of the armed forces? “No. Suppose you are the American commander of the armed forces and you say to me: ‘Rob, why the fuck do you pay so little? ‘ Then I say: ‘I want more too worry.
“It is not the fault of those command that they do not receive that money.”
What happens if we don’t reach the new nato standard or 5 percent quickly? In the house of representatives, the discussion is Held that the extra Expenses should not be at the Expense of the Welfare State. “I Heard Timmermans (Leader of GroenLinks-Pvda, ed.) Say that. I find that fascinating. 19 Billion euros have to be added and that is a lot of money. Don’t get me wrong . Politicians want that, but no one should go feel that.”
You sound surprised about that political discussion? “I think there is no leadership being show. You cannot say to your voters:” We want it, but you should not feel it. ” You shouldn’t talk Bullshit. “
Is this still part of the awakening we talked about at the beginning? “Yes, it is still the feeling as if it is a choice. As if it is a luxury. Like: are we going skiing and summer vacation, or are we going once a year?”
How do you get the country that do not meet the nato standard to move in the future? “We have bone very careful with each other for a very long time. Like (Puts on a Soft Voice):” would you perhaps have another battalion for afghanistan? I almost don’t dare to ask. But we real need one. “
“Now we say:” guys, that battalion is not there yet. In a week it will be! “