Truman National Security Project

Washington, DC – In response to comments made by Gov. Romney in advance of the NATO Summit, Truman Project Senior Fellow Mark Jacobson released the following statement:

“Once again, Gov. Romney has decided to incorrectly and inappropriately interject himself during a period of important and sensitive diplomatic consultations. Even while he spends time on the stump deriding Europe and criticizing international engagement, he still manages to claim that the President is undercutting NATO.

“Romney’s rhetoric is consistently dismissive of the NATO alliance and the principals of collective security which have helped protect America and our allies for six decades.  We have already been through eight years of a Bush administration whose unilateral approaches failed miserably.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, more of our allies are contributing politically, financially, and militarily to the Alliance, ensuring America shares the burden and cost of international security with friends.

“President Obama’s initiatives have not only strengthened the Alliance, but have also made it possible to consider the NATO alliance as a hub for a global network of security partnerships.”

Mark Jacobson is former Director of International Affairs at the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) where he served as senior foreign policy advisor to Gen. David Petraeus in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is attending the NATO Summit this weekend along with ISAF partners to meet with NATO officials for discussions on Afghanistan, NATO’s top operational priority.