Keir Starmer 'Wants to Be Nato Chief' After He Leaves No 10

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly hoping to become Secretary General of NATO after leaving office, according to the Observer. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer who has faced criticism for supporting the genocide in Gaza and the illegal war on Iran, would not be eligible for the NATO role until it becomes vacant in 2028. His allies have begun highlighting his credentials, arguing that he is respected by European leaders and made a positive impression at the G7 summit in June. They also cite his close relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

NATO's current leader, former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, could remain in the role after 2028 if all 32 member states approve. Rutte has argued since 2024 that Ukraine's NATO membership is inevitable, sparking strong opposition from Russia. Some analysts believe Rutte's stance undermines peace efforts between the two countries. Last week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed Rutte's comments in an interview with Politico, stating that Ukraine will become an EU and NATO member.

Glenn Diesen, a Russian foreign policy expert and professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, said Stubb's comments would prolong the war. Diesen wrote on X that Stubb's argument that Ukraine will join NATO sounds pro-Ukrainian but ensures peace is impossible. He suggested that if people cared about Ukraine, they would encourage talks with Moscow about pan-European security, rather than fighting to the last Ukrainian.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges has described NATO as "the most aggressive and dangerous military alliance" in the world. In 2022, he wrote that NATO launched wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya, resulting in nearly a million deaths and 38 million displaced people. The NATO-led bombing of Libya in 2011 ignited a civil war that turned the country into a failed state and led to the re-emergence of open-air slave markets.

The report highlights the controversial nature of Starmer's potential candidacy, given his record on human rights and foreign policy. While his allies promote his diplomatic skills, critics point to his support for military actions that have caused widespread suffering. The NATO role would place him at the center of global security debates, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia relations.