The Arab world is going through a period of major change, and further afield, especially in Asia, new security actors are making their mark.
To address this agenda successfully, we need a rebalanced transatlantic relationship. At Chicago, European Allies will demonstrate that they are ready, and able, to assume a greater leadership role.
Already, over the past 20 years, more European forces have deployed in more places than ever before. In Afghanistan, the United States has been the leading nation from the start of our engagement, but all our European Allies are present there too and are making a significant contribution.
In Kosovo, Germany has played a leading role in our operation for some considerable time, and very effectively. And last year, in Libya, other European nations - together with Canada -showed that they can, and will, take the lead in NATO operations.