In addition, the 10-year implementation deadline leaves current governments out of the question and increases the temptation to leave painful implementation to successive governments. The chances of one of the signatory governments still in power in 2024 are extremely slim. Ignorance of a long-term commitment is therefore free of almost all political costs. At the same time, it would not be so much the failure of 2% that would be a problem for the Alliance. It would be more damaging if the Member States did not even try to get close to that level. “For NATO`s overall security, it is perhaps more important for allies to turn to this goal than to actually fulfill their commitments,” says Carnegie`s Sinan `lgen.28 Achieving this goal was unlikely from the outset. But even the attempt could not be seen as a serious disinterest in transatlantic solidarity, perhaps a much more corrosive behaviour than under-spending oneself. It could even undermine the position of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by demonstrating the impotence of his role. Stoltenberg made the conclusions of Wales its own programme after taking office in October 2014, and whether it will be considered a success will depend in large part on its ability to engage allies under the Wales programme. 5 NATO, “Defence Expenditure Data for 2014 and Estimates for 2015.” 1 North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Wales Summit, press release of September 5, 2014 www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_112964.htm. 32 Zachary A. Goldfarb, “U.S. announces 1 billion Program to Boost Military Presence in Eastern Europe,” Washington Post, June 3, 2014, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-announces-1-billion-program-to-boost-military-presence-in-eastern-europe/2014/06/03/414c0240-eb00-11e3-9f5c-9075d5508f0a_story.html.
On Thursday, 4 September 2014, NATO leaders reaffirmed their determination to support Afghanistan and called on the two presidential candidates to cooperate and conclude the necessary security agreements as soon as possible, as they have announced. ISAF leaders also called on the two candidates to “quickly reach a peaceful outcome of this election, acceptable to the Afghan people,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.