Belief in the promise of America

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a nation declared that liberty was not granted by kings but endowed in human nature. That declaration transformed the world and earned the United States admirers in faraway lands.

As a young boy in Denmark working my father’s farm, early memories were the assassinations of JFK and RFK. I joined in America’s pain, not as a citizen but as a believer in the promise of America.

That America inspired hope: from shipyard workers in Gdansk, to crowds at the Berlin Wall, and a young Dane on his family’s farm.

Determined American leadership triggered generations of relative peace, prosperity and the advance of democracy – a force that vanquished Soviet imperialism and reunited a divided continent.

As Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General, serving alongside President Bush was an honor; he understood the transatlantic bond made the world safer, which enabled Americans to prosper. When America was attacked, NATO willingly rallied to its activation of Article 5.

Today’s world is perilous. Autocrats align while democracy dissembles. Europe must play a greater part in its collective defence, but America’s allies fear that your leaders will forego the promise of America, or that you see a world of power players and spheres of influence.

Leadership of a freedom-loving world is not analogous to coercion of your allies. The democratic world is preparing its Plan B should America recant the mantle of leadership.

But history’s lesson is clear: Freedom thrives when America leads an alliance of democracies. When American ideals retreat, tyranny spreads.