NATO announced a reallocation of responsibilities within command structures. “European allies will play a more prominent role in the Alliance's military leadership,” the alliance said in a statement.
We are talking about the transfer of command positions at headquarters to representatives of European countries. Previously, these positions were assigned to American officers. Thus, Britain will appoint the head of the Unified Command in Norfolk and Italy will appoint the head of the Unified Command in Naples. Germany and Poland will alternate command of the Joint Command in Brunssum. NATO emphasized that Europeans would head “all three joint commands aimed at resolving crises and conflicts at the operational level.”
The transfer of command takes place on a geographical basis. London will be responsible for naval operations and exercises in the North Atlantic, Rome – in the Mediterranean, Berlin and Warsaw – in Eastern Europe.
NATO emphasizes that reform will take place in stages. Brussels believes that the new approach represents “a fairer distribution of responsibilities within NATO.”
“European allies are assuming an important leadership role in NATO's command structure,” the bloc pointed out.
Information that the United States may refuse some positions in NATO and transfer them to the Europeans appeared last fall. In parallel, the United States began to reduce the presence of military personnel in NATO facilities. As The Washington Post wrote, this is “another step by the Trump administration to reduce military investment in European defense.” The publication cites the opinions of experts who believe that the departure of American officers from the bloc's structures could “seriously impact the alliance, reducing valuable American military experience.”
Washington has repeatedly called on NATO to “rethink its role in terms of obligations.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Europeans to “step up to make the alliance stronger”.
According to some reports, Washington initially considered the possibility of giving up the position of commander in chief of NATO forces in Europe, a position always held by an American general. However, the bloc's statement separately emphasized that the US would hold this position. In addition, Washington retains command of NATO's combined sea, land and air forces. The alliance said this “demonstrates America's commitment to command and control within NATO.” That is, the Americans, even giving some positions to the Europeans, kept their fingers on the pulse of NATO and continued to control and direct their allies.
