Fourth, NATO must persist in deepening the Russian relationship. Most people in the West once looked at Russia as part of the problem, but no more. Today, Russia is very much part of the solution. Nothing shows a new generation how much progress has been made more than NATO-Russia closeness, and nothing will give a stronger signal, to both our people and the terrorists, of the new global spine-stiffening than outputs and decisions from the NATO-Russia Council. It will be tough and exasperating. It will involve walking through glue at times. Yet it still represents not just the end of the Cold War, but also the creation of a new strategic geology. There are bound to be differences, and there may be security challenges that could be resolved without Russia. But there are many more security challenges that can only be resolved with it: terrorism, proliferation, ballistic missiles, crisis management, and these are just the most obvious.

Fifth, the NATO-EU strategic partnership needs to be solidified to produce results. Remarkable progress has already been made, but much more can and must be done. Working in competition or in duplication would be an expensive, unforgivable betrayal of its members. We need to protect and promote the Partnership for Peace, one of NATO’s gold-dust assets, to use it to bring Ukraine, the Caucasus countries, the “Stans” of Central Asia and the Mediterranean Dialogue nations closer and closer to our coalition of common values and interest. The Partnership is one of the best investments ever for a future safer world.

For half a century, NATO has been the main manifestation of the transatlantic link. It might have continued with that crucial but time-limited role. Yet at the behest of its member states, it chose to adapt when the situation demanded it. That has required political will on both sides of the Atlantic and within the growing European component, and that political will sometimes has been forged in steel. A NATO that cannot adapt for future threats will have no future. The transformed NATO, which now faces the 21st century with sobriety and confidence, is still, and will remain, the cornerstone for defending all we hold precious. The milkman in Omaha, Nebraska, would be surprised, but, I reckon, also very satisfied.