Addressing Congress on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg skillfully articulated why NATO is a uniquely special alliance: it matches the sovereign authority of democratic governments to mutual efforts in common interest.

Stoltenberg explained that NATO isn't about the submission of national authority to a global construct. Rather it is an alliance of "sovereign nations united by democracy." Here we see the divergence of NATO from other organizations such as the European Union or the International Court of Justice. Where NATO respects its member populations, other international organizations tend to subordinate democratic sovereign power to their own bureaucratic interests. Explaining that "NATO lasts because it is in the national interest of each of our nations," Stoltenberg offered a rationale for how positive nationalism and international alliances can co-exist. Preserving a mutually beneficial peace, NATO creates space for our mutually beneficial prosperity.

Stoltenberg noted that the defeat of Nazism, the Soviet Union, and ISIS required the application and deterrent resolution of military force. He was clear that allies must spend more for NATO's common defense. And Stoltenberg's words, which echo as a softer version of President Trump's, are necessary.

Equally important was Stoltenberg's rebuke to those who say NATO is defunct in the 21st century. The former Norwegian prime minister was clear that the alliance serves its 29 members by enabling each to be "stronger than any potential challenger." In an era of rising Russian aggression and continuing terrorist threats, NATO continues to be an alliance of paramount importance. Evidencing as much, Stoltenberg paid homage to the more than 1,000 non-U.S. NATO service personnel who have died alongside our own in Afghanistan.

All this, Stoltenberg concluded, leads us to a shared understanding of NATO's most important truth.

In the end, whatever our disagreements, "It is good to have friends."