A photography buff from Scotland is poised to take the helm of one of the most powerful organisations in the world. The British Defence Secretary, Mr George Robertson (53), has been confirmed by the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, as his nomination for the post of Secretary General of NATO. Mr Robertson's approval is almost certain as the alliance has had difficulty in finding a suitable candidate.
The MP for Hamilton South is a popular choice, being regarded as reliable and loyal by NATO leaders, unlike the outgoing secretary general, Spain's Mr Javier Solana, who is seen by many as being too left wing.
Mr Robertson built his reputation within NATO during the Kosovo conflict and gained popularity among both the troops on the ground and the generals, while also becoming a familiar face at press briefings.
His performance during those briefings - explaining away accidental bombing after accidental bombing - did not go unnoticed in Whitehall, or indeed in the halls of power of other NATO members. Mr Robertson is a solid press performer and it is thought likely that he would have an easy relationship with the NATO press secretary, Mr Jamie Shea.
His enthusiasm for "the boys' toys" - hi-tech weapons equipment - did not go unnoticed either. His appearance in Macedonia, addressing troops from the roof of an armoured vehicle, would have seemed ridiculous if attempted by almost any other politician, but the straightforward Scot carried it off.
Mr Robertson was not the only name mentioned in connection with the post, however. Former Conservative ministers, Mr Malcolm Rifkind and Mr Michael Portillo, were both considered, but Mr Rifkind refused and Mr Portillo would be unwelcome on the Continent.
The German Defence Minister, Mr Rudolf Scharping, was thought to have been President Clinton's first choice, but the Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroder, was not willing to release him from domestic duties. Mr Robertson is used to dealing with men in uniform, having grown up the son of an Islay police officer. His grandfather and brother were also policemen, but Mr Robertson was bound for politics and was briefly a member of the Scottish National Party during his grammar school days.
His nationalist passions did not last, however, and after graduating from Dundee University, he became a union official and an active member of the Scottish Labour Party. He soon became chair of the SLP and was first elected MP for Hamilton in the 1978 by-election.
He shone during the Maastricht debates and his leadership of the Strategic Defence Review and the European Defence Initiative have impressed leaders and military figures across Europe. He is credited with having successfully attacked and destroyed Labour's "soft on defence" image.
While he may not have the charisma of some of his contemporaries, he has the kind of image that counts for a great deal in the military world - tough, loyal, reliable, grounded.
As Mr Robertson says himself: "The post is one of the most important of today's world . . . As the alliance starts its second half-century, it has to learn the lessons of its clear success in Kosovo, build the European defence identity and deal both with enlargement and relations with Russia and Ukraine. These are formidable challenges, which must be addressed for future generations and I would relish the chance to contribute."
His appointment is likely to be confirmed this week and his departure will mean a by-election and another British cabinet reshuffle. For the moment, however, the "solid" father of three children awaits news at his home in Dunblane with his wife, Sandra.