How To Academy Podcast Jens Stoltenberg - Leading NATO in a Time of War
Oct 28, 2025
Jens Stoltenberg, Former Secretary General of NATO and Prime Minister of Norway, shares his insights from a decade of leadership. He discusses NATO's evolution during conflicts, including the urgency of the Ukraine invasion and the implications of Russia's aggression. Jens reflects on NATO's role in deterrence, the alliance’s relationship with Donald Trump, and the technological challenges ahead. He champions NATO's importance for global security while remaining cautiously optimistic about the future.
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NATO Strengthened Amid Rising Threats
- NATO grew stronger during Stoltenberg's decade despite a more dangerous world with Russia, terrorism, and cyber threats.
- Credible deterrence and the biggest reinforcement to collective defence in a generation kept allies secure.
Publicly Warning Before Russia’s 2022 Invasion
- Stoltenberg recounts that NATO and US publicly shared precise intelligence warning of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- He was surprised by the limited public reaction even after clear capacity and intention indicators.
Hesitation Cost Ukraine Strategic Advantage
- Stoltenberg admits NATO was too slow to supply lethal arms to Ukraine after 2014, limiting Ukraine's ability to deter further Russian aggression.
- Early arming could have reduced Russian-controlled territory and might even have deterred the 2022 invasion.
