Why Brexit isn't to blame for Ben Wallace missing out on NATO's top job

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has dropped out of the race for NATO Secretary General. Photo: Reuters

Brexit is not to blame for Ben Wallace's withdrawal from the race for the next NATO Secretary General — other more influential factors than the UK's exit from the EU are at stake.

G- r Wallace was well… highly regarded in the Alliance, but other factors prevented him from getting the highest position.

Others will be quick to point fingers at Brexit as one of the main reasons why the defense minister was forced to admit that his dream simply won't come true.

It's no surprise that most EU governments prefer an EU member to be the boss of NATO.

But that doesn't mean they won't support a non-EU candidate.

Jens Stoltenberg, current head of NATO, former prime minister of Norway, a close ally of the bloc but not a member into it.

Some of our EU allies will always be suspicious of sour grapes, despite the UK's leading role in responding to the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister's preference

But a continent-wide job race should not be seen as an indictment of weakening British influence.

More important factors than Brexit are at stake.

The Prime Minister is always preferred, if possible, to take a leadership position in the Alliance.

< p>Mr. Wallace falls short of this point, while most other possible candidates, such as Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, do not.

Boris?

Boris Johnson could be a controversial candidate after his firm positions. support from Kiev when he was prime minister.

But he will need the support of the British government, which is unlikely given the poor relationship with Rishi Sunak.

Mr Wallace is highly respected in NATO, but attempts are being made to appoint an EU member or a woman leader. Photo: Ben Birchall

There has never been a NATO Secretary General from Eastern Europe. Some Alliance members feel strongly that now is the time to fix this.

With war raging on NATO's eastern borders, choosing a prime minister or president from a country like Poland would send a strong signal of defiance to Vladimir Putin.< /p>Calls for a female leader

There is also a view that NATO should appoint a female Secretary General for the first time.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister and a fierce critic of Putin, was considered as a possible candidate. although some allies believe she may be too confrontational with Russia.

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the former president of Croatia, has been linked to the position, while Mette Frederikson, the Danish prime minister, has excluded herself from running after meeting with Joe Biden earlier this month.

Washington pays NATO the most and ultimately makes the decisions, so the US president's backing of any would-be NATO boss is vital. He is so confident in his influence that he traditionally does not nominate a US candidate for Secretary General.

The odds have always been against Mr. Wallace.

Brexit didn't help matters, but it doesn't was an insurmountable obstacle.

Joe Biden's reported desire to convince Mr. Stoltenberg to extend his ten-year term for a fourth time was — and convinced Mr. Wallace that his race was over.