Judy Dempsey, Carnegie Europe (Belgium)
Most previous NATO bosses had been drawn from national defense ministries. The choice of Rasmussen, a Dane, made a big difference. It meant he had the ear of other leaders, precisely because he had been one himself. And he ran NATO as he had governed Denmark: sternly and from the top down. As Rasmussen prepares to leave office after this year’s NATO summit in the Welsh city of Cardiff, there is as yet no former or serving prime minister willing to throw his or her hat into the ring. Member states might have to agree to opt for somebody of lower rank. Either way, pity Rasmussen’s successor. NATO is in bad shape, and morale is low.