In highly explicit criticism, former NATO officials claim the alliance is being reformed to align with Donald Trump's interests. Nevertheless, officials argue that the changes are separate and necessary.
As NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte established agreement onmassive spending hikesand pleased the United States president, Donald Trump, has gained a new respect for the alliance. And, as a result, many individuals within NATO let out a sigh of relief.sigh of relief.
However, not everyone welcomed Rutte with hero's acclaim. The secretary-general is encountering a wave of criticism, some of which is made public, regarding what his team refers to as an "optimization" of NATO resources.
What might typically be referred to as a bureaucratic adjustment now carries a different perception within the present trans-Atlantic environment. Some analysts claim that Rutte is restructuring NATO to satisfy the White House — and are doing so in manners that do not align with the alliance's wider or more enduring objectives.
Dr. Gerlinde Niehus, who served in numerous roles at NATO over 26 years, has been vocal about the changes. She went as far as to claim that Rutte is following a contentious path.Elon Musk-driven downsizingunder the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).
Drawing inspiration from the poorly planned US 'DOGE' initiative, [the reorganization] is primarily a polished attempt to please US MAGA politics," Niehus wrote in a LinkedIn post, views she later confirmed to zaia newsdirectly. "Beneath the guise of 'efficiency,' NATO HQ functions that might draw the ire of Donald Trump due to their alleged 'wokeness' or 'irrelevance' are either reduced, hidden, or eliminated.
What are the modifications within NATO?
Niehus highlights two changes that she considers especially concerning: the relocation of the NATO's Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) position from the secretary-general's office and the combination of the Climate and Energy Security Section with Defence Policy and Planning. She claims these moves were made to "reduce the visibility" of these matters.
In Washington, DC, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has largely done away with WPS programs at the Pentagon, while Trump is well-known for his skepticism towards initiatives addressing climate change.
Could it be a coincidence that certain changes within NATO align with the White House's goals? A high-ranking NATO representative, speaking under the condition of anonymity, claims that the increased security threats, rather than any particular member nation, have driven the restructuring of staff organizations.
The secretary-general, similar to his predecessors, aims to ensure that the NATO Headquarters is structured in a way that allows it to operate efficiently and effectively," the official stated to zaia news, "This is the driving force behind the structural reform, which is not intended to reduce expenses or staff numbers, but to improve the alignment of work areas.
Shifts underway in communication?
One of the most noticeable changes will be the closure of NATO's Public Diplomacy Division (PDD). This division has historically managed NATO's media activities; supported initiatives on topics like community resilience, engaged with students and other visiting groups; and conducted broader communication efforts with the public.
Numerous individuals within PDD may have to seek alternative roles, while certain responsibilities will be transferred to different departments. The press office will report directly to the secretary-general and the spokesperson's office. The second division being eliminated is Executive Management, which handles various duties including hiring, the internship program, and archive management.
NATO officials state that the number of positions being eliminated is relatively small, possibly around 40 in total, as new roles are being established simultaneously. At the same time, they note that there are approximately 300 open positions.
However, Niehus, who dedicated numerous years to NATO's public diplomacy and engagement initiatives, still struggles to understand the removal of PDD and the reallocation of remaining communication staff, especially during a period she feels the alliance should be intensifying efforts to "encourage informed conversations about NATO and broader defense issues within our communities."
She is also worried that the co-sponsorship grants program, which collaborates with research institutes, academic institutions, and other civil society projects, "will stop completely."
This gains additional importance as the U.S. government has dissolved its USAID global humanitarian assistance organization, which also provided funding for some of these initiatives and services.
However, the senior NATO official informed zaia news that the alliance's engagement initiatives will not decrease; instead, PDD is "being restructured into a more concentrated strategic communications department." Similar modifications also "aim toward the same goal — improved coordination to ensure we can carry out the essential tasks of the alliance."
NATO officials state that the funding initiative will not be discontinued, even if there is a brief interruption to facilitate administrative adjustments.
Former US diplomat on what occurs when aid programs cease
A former U.S. State Department official, who has requested anonymity to express their opinions, supports the critics' concerns about potential dangers in this reorganization if resources or personnel for public engagement are reduced. Having worked in public diplomacy roles within NATO and the European Union in Brussels and globally, this retired official is worried that the changes occurring at both NATO and in the United States might increase feelings of detachment and disinterest among the public, both within the alliance and across other regions of the world.
The former official observes this occurring in practice, such as through long-distance discussions held at 5:30 a.m. every week, while they keep guiding a colleague based in Asia.
A mentee of mine mentioned that during her last discussion with the ambassador, she was seen as 'failing' since the media focused more on Australian and Chinese support than American aid," the former official said, pointing to the removal of USAID from this nation. "She was entirely held responsible for this. How can we compete with the Chinese when we have nothing?
German MP calls it a 'highly frustrating' scenario
Back at NATO headquarters, whether or not it was an official directive, certain staff members in departments like Women, Peace and Security and Climate have been advised to keep these aspects of their work less prominent. Several individuals have personally shared their experiences with this reporter.
A key supporter of these matters, Hannah Neumann, a member of the German Green Party in the European Parliament, mentioned she has encountered similar accounts through her NATO connections. Neumann describes this situation as "extremely frustrating since it lacks logical reasoning from a scientific, security, and political standpoint." Nevertheless, she highlights the importance of continuing work on these issues. Currently, she states that she has been assured that progress is being made — even if individuals need to relocate offices and remain cautious in their efforts.
Edited by: Jess Smee
Author: Teri Schultz