General James Mattis came to NATO armed with his carrot and stick and wielded them like a high school baton majorette.

America's new defence secretary stepped out of his official car and described this place as his "second home". Smiles and sighs of relief all round. 'Mad Dog' was back.

Then, hours later he told gathered defence ministers that the US would "moderate" its commitment to the alliance if countries didn't start spending more.

And he asked if America should care more about the future security of Europe's children than Europe does.

His European counterparts shifted uncomfortably in their seats, with the exception of the British, who smiled smugly and stood as close as they could to the new beast of the playground.


Don't worry, the other defence ministers "totally got what he was saying" and "agreed wholeheartedly", we were told. Uh huh, sure.

Image: Mr Mattis speaks to Saudi Arabia's deputy defence minister Mohammed Alayeesh

I imagine one or two slept a little less easily overnight.

But on Thursday - day two - the sun was shining in Brussels and 'Mad Dog' walked in carrying that carrot in his hand. He'd obviously had no problems sleeping.

"The US commitment to Article 5 is rock solid," he told us.

"Um, okay, but what exactly did you mean when you said you'd moderate your commitment to NATO then?" a Danish journalist asked tentatively, hoping Mr Mattis wouldn't point out Denmark only spends 1.17% of GDP on defence. Tut, tut.

"Rock solid," he repeated, "rock solid". For one awful moment I thought he was asking us to feel his biceps.

And then came the charm.

"Let's have some more questions," he smiled, disobeying the strict orders we were given by his spokeswoman that there would only be two questions from the packed room.

Image: (L-R) UK defence secretary Michael Fallon, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Mr Mattis

Hands went up. A female TV journalist was picked, from Danish TV. Copenhagen was on a roll.

"Are you considering sending more troops into Syria and ask allies to join you?"

"Ummm, err, I'm not going to answer that. I think you'd better ask someone else who knows more," the defence secretary hesitated.

So that's a yes then.

But for a man who doesn't own a TV, General James Norman Mattis certainly knows how to play the cameras.

One way or another he has dominated this two-day meeting and he'll leave with no-one in doubt who's boss.

He came in peace, put a gun to NATO's head and then started feeding them sweets. It's tough love, US marine-style.