Leading the Way: A Profile of the First Female Deputy Secretary General at NATO
By Ayazhan Muratbek
“It’s no secret that women in international security are entering a man’s game,”[i] says Rose Gottemoeller.
When Gottemoeller entered it in the 1970s, the field was marked by widespread underrepresentation and undervaluation of women in promoting peace and security. Much has changed since then thanks to women's participation gaining momentum worldwide, and NATO stands at the forefront of this movement.
I sat down with Gottemoeller for a lengthy discussion of her extensive experience across various roles, from the U.S. government to think tanks to NATO; she is currently a lecturer and research fellow at Stanford University. Gottemoeller underscored the diverse roles women now occupy within NATO, from leadership positions to combat roles; however, much remains to be done. In prioritizing gender equality and inclusivity—such as embedding the principles of Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) throughout the organization’s missions—NATO can strengthen its effectiveness in promoting peace and security on a global scale. Gottemoeller’s insights will inspire girls and women to recognize their potential for achievement and advancement within the security realm.
Journey into International Security
My conversation with Gottemoeller began with an exploration of her motivations for entering the peace and security field. "I was a Sputnik baby," Gottemoeller said, recounting her early interest in the Soviet Union after her father took her outside to see the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s, [ii] streaking across the night sky over her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. To Gottemoeller’s five-year-old self, Sputnik was merely a small, bright light overhead, but the world understood its significance as a technological milestone that fuelled the arms race and heightened Cold War tensions.
Gottemoeller's interest in the Russian language took shape as the U.S. increasingly focused on the Soviet threat and the need for technological advancement. She embarked on her professional journey at the RAND Corporation,[iii] serving as research assistant to Dr Thomas Wolfe in his pioneering studies of nuclear arms control policy. She assisted Wolfe while he was writing his book on the first strategic arms limitation negotiations, titled The SALT Experience.[iv] Gottemoeller credits Dr Wolfe’s mentorship for facilitating her entry into the realm of nuclear policy and strategy.
Transitioning from her research role at RAND, Gottemoeller assumed various leadership positions within the security sector, including pivotal roles in the White House, U.S. Department of Energy, Department of State, and several well-known think tanks. Her groundbreaking appointment as the first woman to serve as NATO's Deputy Secretary General marked a significant milestone in her career, in more ways than one. Arriving at NATO headquarters in Brussels in October 2016, shifting from her previous focus on bilateral relations with the USSR (later the Russian Federation and countries of the former Soviet Union) to the multilateral diplomatic arena was particularly challenging, as she learned to navigate the diverse priorities, cultures, and languages of the member countries. Gottemoeller came to believe that continuous learning is essential: “If you’re not learning something new every day of your life, you soon get bored.”[v] With a smile, she added that she never gets bored.
I asked Gottemoeller how she navigated the challenges she faced as a woman in her chosen field. She shared an anecdote from when she was first developing her expertise on nuclear weapons programs and disarmament. She recalled being the only woman in a meeting room when a male colleague remarked, "Oh, you're only here because we need a token woman."[vi] No one expected her to have the expertise, knowledge, understanding, and—indeed, the right—to even be in the room. Case in point: While negotiating the New START Treaty in 2009,[vii] she observed the Russian Federation’s all-male contingent at the front table (some females occupied seats in the background). She knew that "You have to be sitting at the table to speak. That's the rule."[viii] She gently but persistently advocated with her Russian counterpart to allow a woman to speak from the main table; he eventually relented, permitting a female lawyer to provide a summary of some legal business toward the end of the negotiations.
Gottemoeller believes that the situation has improved over the years with the increasing presence of women in the international security arena. She highlighted the many women experts now working on nuclear policy strategy, arms control, and non-proliferation. Particularly during her time at NATO, she observed a significant number of women ambassadors and, at one point, up to 10 women defence ministers. She was proud to serve alongside them, including Ursula von der Leyen, who at the time was Germany’s Minister of Defence; she is now head of the European Council at the European Union.
In the belief that one’s personality is inevitably influenced by the environment in which they operate, and vice versa, I asked Gottemoeller how she thought her position at NATO may have shaped her personality and leadership style. She recounted an early career decision to maintain openness and friendliness as a leader in the large institutions where she served—including at NATO where it was uncommon for staff to encounter a Deputy Secretary General who greeted colleagues in corridors and initiated conversations in elevators. She instinctively understood that being approachable with colleagues can positively influence an institution’s culture. While she doesn’t claim to have permanently altered NATO's culture, Gottemoeller emphasized the importance of simple acts of friendliness in fostering a more open and welcoming environment in any organization.
NATO's Progress in Women, Peace, and Security
Shifting from personal anecdotes to a broader discussion on the involvement of women in peace and security endeavours, our conversation turned to NATO's significant strides in integrating women, peace, and security (WPS) principles into its operations.[ix] The adoption of its first WPS policy in 2007 marked a pivotal moment, signalling NATO allies' and partners' recognition of the intrinsic importance of WPS principles in shaping crisis management strategies, enhancing collective defence measures, and fostering collaboration with partners.
However, despite NATO's commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening global peace and security dynamics, Gottemoeller acknowledged that NATO’s performance has not been seamless. Upon her arrival, she observed a gap at NATO headquarters between the civilian leadership, ready to advance WPS policies, and the military leadership, which was reluctant to implement them. Gottemoeller applauds the efforts of the Secretary General and the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in driving progress in this area, particularly in pushing the international military staff to prioritize WPS issues in NATO’s military policies and operational practices. This transformation now extends beyond headquarters, permeating the armed forces of NATO member states, many of which originated from the Warsaw Pact,[x] where the inclusion of women in combat roles was disregarded. NATO’s insistence on integrating women into all aspects of armed forces operations has spurred change not only at the institutional level but also throughout armed forces across the Alliance.
Expanding on her remarks, Gottemoeller highlighted the increasing representation of women in conflict zones and peacekeeping efforts. She recalls a poignant moment from 2019 when a battalion of Ukrainian women soldiers visited the organization amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Their courageous stories, captured in the 2017 documentary The Invisible Battalion, shed light on the remarkable courage and dedication of these women in response to Putin’s 2014 seizure of Crimea and parts of the Donbas.[xi] Their visit profoundly impacted Gottemoeller, underscoring the commitment of the Ukrainian women fighters and contrasting their roles with the absence of women in combat roles on the Russian side. Expressing admiration for their bravery, Gottemoeller laments the missed opportunities to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities, potentially deterring further aggression from Russia.
Building on the need to empower women in pivotal roles in conflict resolution and security, Gottemoeller acknowledges an increase in the representation of women within NATO, attributing this progress to the collective commitment of key figures such as Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and numerous Assistant Secretaries General. Together, they spearheaded initiatives to promote gender diversity and elevate women into middle management roles, helping to bridge the gap between the regular workforce and leadership positions.
Reflecting on NATO's current structure, Gottemoeller is gratified to see the robust presence of women in middle management roles, which serve as the driving force behind policy implementation. She also noted the number of women increasingly occupying senior-level positions and expects the opportunities for women even in top leadership roles to expand as the terms of the current Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General draw to a close.
Current Influence and Future Visions
Gottemoeller explored the theme of women's transformative power in peace and security, noting that when women actively participate in peace talks and contribute to final agreements, those accords tend to be more enduring than those negotiated solely by men. She cited recent research inspired by the success of the Good Friday Accords[xii] in Northern Ireland, where women engaged at the grassroots level to ensure community interests were well represented during negotiations. Similar success has resulted in other contexts such as the Colombian peace process,[xiii] where women played crucial roles. She also highlighted the pivotal leadership of the United Nations and the moral force behind UN Security Council resolutions,[xiv] particularly Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. She concluded by emphasizing the value of all countries leading by example, citing the United States' efforts to ensure women have equal roles in various arenas, including combat missions, diplomacy, and peacekeeping operations. Gottemoeller is confident that the enduring and beneficial role of women in peacemaking efforts will expand over time, and especially hopes NATO will continue to recognize their essential contribution to the Alliance's objectives.
Transitioning from her role at NATO to teaching at Stanford University, Gottemoeller has observed a landscape where women students are empowered to push the envelope in traditionally male-dominated fields such as medicine and computer sciences. She highlighted the significant strides being made by women in science, technology, and engineering, particularly within the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Gottemoeller praises Stanford's environment for fostering such progress and emphasized the importance of continuing to break barriers for women in these fields.
Gottemoeller has two pieces of advice for women and girls who want to pursue careers in international security or diplomacy: (1) never apologize, and (2) be prepared to defend your expertise. She encourages women to speak confidently and assertively, while also emphasizing the importance of being highly skilled and knowledgeable in their chosen fields. Gottemoeller's own example and her empowering advice serve as a beacon for women navigating the complexities of these professions.
Conclusion
Gottemoeller's journey from her childhood fascination with Sputnik to becoming NATO's first female Deputy Secretary General embodies the transformative power of determination, resilience, and leadership. Her career path underscores the changing landscape of women's participation in international security, from overcoming barriers in nuclear policy to advocating for gender equality in NATO. Through her example, she inspires women and girls around the world to believe in their potential and to use their talents, assert their voices, and pursue their dreams for a more peaceful and secure world.
About the Author
Ayazhan Muratbek serves as a Research Assistant at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation, where she helps Rose Gottemoeller with studies on nuclear arms control and US-Russian relations. She is a recent graduate with a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Oklahoma, with a regional focus on Russia and Central Asia. Her areas of interest include nuclear arms control, cybersecurity, and human rights. She received her bachelor's degree in International Relations from Suleyman Demirel University in her home country of Kazakhstan. Prior to joining CISAC, Ayazhan worked as a research assistant at the Cyber Governance and Policy Center at OU. Her language skills include native proficiency in Kazakh and Russian, advanced English, and basic Turkish.
Notes
[i] Rose Gottemoeller, interview by author, Stanford, February 1, 2024.
[ii] “Sputnik, 1957,” U.S. Department of State, accessed February 13, 2024, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/sputnik.
[iii] RAND Corporation, RAND, accessed February 13, 2024, https://www.rand.org.
[iv] Thomas W. Wolfe, “The SALT Experience: Its Impact on U.S. and Soviet Strategic Policy and Decisionmaking”, Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1975, https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R1686.html. SALT stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. See “Strategic Arms Limitations Talks/Treaty (SALT) I and II,” U.S. Department of State, accessed February 13, 2024, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/salt.
[v] Gottemoeller, interview.
[vi] Gottemoeller, interview.
[vii] “New START Treaty - United States Department of State,” U.S. Department of State, June 1, 2023, https://www.state.gov/new-start/.
[viii] Gottemoeller, interview.
[ix] “Women, Peace and Security,” NATO, January 24, 2024, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_91091.htm.
[x] “What Was the Warsaw Pact?,” NATO, accessed February 13, 2024, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_138294.htm#:~:text=The%20Warsaw%20Pact%20was%20a,(Albania%20withdrew%20in%201968).
[xi] “Invisible Battalion,” Media-hub, accessed February 13, 2024, https://invisiblebattalion.org/en/mediahub2/.
[xii] “About the Good Friday Agreement,” Ireland.ie, accessed February 13, 2024, https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/role-policies/northern-ireland/about-the-good-friday-agreement/.
[xiii] Adam Isacson, “A Long Way to Go: Implementing Colombia’s Peace Accord after Five Years,” Washington Office on Latin America, November 23, 2021, https://www.wola.org/analysis/a-long-way-to-go-implementing-colombias-peace-accord-after-five-years/.
[xiv] “Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security | UN Peacemaker,” United Nations, accessed February 16, 2024, https://peacemaker.un.org/wps/normative-frameworks/un-security-council-resolutions.
Image: Courtesy of the author
