Outgoing NATO chief: Russia considers us an adversary

NEW YORK —

The retiring secretary general of NATO says he is leaving behind a more efficient fighting organization that will have to deal with an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The Russians are promoting conflict in neighboring states in what looks like an effort to regain the kind of control lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union, said Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in an interview with USA TODAY.

"It's quite clear that, today, Russia doesn't consider us a partner, but an adversary," Rasmussen said on the sidelines of United Nations meetings this week. "And, obviously, we will have to adapt to that."

Rasmussen, who is retiring from NATO this month, called Russian behavior his biggest disappointment since becoming secretary general in 2009.

On another topic, Rasmussen predicted that more NATO members and allies will provide help in the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State in Iraq. He said, "I think you will see this coalition grow."

Syria might be more of a challenge. NATO does not have a formal partnership with Syria, as it does with Iraq, and some countries have questioned the idea of U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria, where the host government is opposed.

Speaking for himself, Rasmussen said of U.S. strikes in Syria: "I'm not a legal expert, but I would call this self defense."

Attending his last U.N. General Assembly session as NATO's leader, Rasmussen said he backs President Obama's demand that all countries confront the threat of ideological extremism. Obama's strategy to battle the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is part of that call, he said.

Looking back on his five-year tenure, Rasmussen said NATO now has its strongest armed forces ever, including new capabilities like missile defense and cyber security. He also cited a network of security partnerships across the globe, as well as internal reforms that include a more streamlined and efficient organization.

"All in all, NATO is fitter, faster, more flexible," Rasmussen said.

His major regret? "The Russian behavior," he said.

Rasmussen, the prime minister of Denmark before his NATO stint, said he had hoped to develop a stronger partnership with Russia on areas like missile defense. While succeeding on some issues — he cited Afghanistan, counter-narcotics, and counter-terrorism — Rasmussen said Russian aggression in Ukraine has changed the equation.

Beyond Ukraine, Rasmussen said he suspects Russia has a "master plan" to "establish a zone of Russian influence in their near neighborhood, covering the former Soviet space." He said Russian intimidation of Georgia and Moldova are other examples.

Russian aggression in Ukraine has made other neighbors more nervous. Rasmussen noted that NATO is supporting its Eastern Europe members with beefed-up security, including more air policing, military exercise, naval vessels in the Baltic and Black seas, and developed of a rapid reaction force, all to "strengthen our collective defense."

The Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia feel especially threatened by Russian President Vladimir Putin — but are also members of NATO. Officials there cited the recent detentions of an Estonian officer and a Lithuanian fishing vessel, as well as Russian pledges to protect the rights of Russian speaking communities in other countries.

Russia may seek to test NATO's resolve in the Baltics, Rasmussen said, but "I don't think there is an imminent threat against NATO allies. Russia knows that if they were to attack a NATO ally, the response would be firm and fast."

The challenges of Russia and the Islamic State have created "an arc of crisis" around NATO nations, Rasmussen said. "We need a strong force for freedom," he said. "That's why we need a strong NATO."

Jens Stoltenberg, the former prime minister of Norway, becomes the new NATO secretary general on Oct. 1.

Rasmussen, meanwhile, says he will continue to speak out on security issues.

"I'll still be around," Rasmussen said. "I will still let my voice be heard."