The United States is set to transfer leadership roles of two key NATO military commands to European nations, aligning with President Donald Trump’s call for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its defense. According to diplomatic sources, the Allied Command in Naples, which oversees NATO's southern areas, will be handed over to Italy, while the leadership of the command in Norfolk, Virginia, responsible for the Atlantic and northern regions, will be taken over by the United Kingdom. This significant shift reflects a strategic move by the U.S. to distribute NATO leadership more evenly among its members.

As the U.S. prepares to implement these changes, it will also take charge of NATO's maritime forces, which are based in the UK. It is expected that these leadership transitions will occur over several months, as noted by unnamed NATO diplomats to the AFP news agency. Observers view this move as a positive development towards practical burden-sharing within the alliance, a concept that has gained increased attention amidst changing global security dynamics.

These adjustments in leadership come at a time when the U.S. is contemplating a reduction of its military footprint in Europe, as it seeks to focus resources on emerging threats, notably from China. While this could lead to a diminishing U.S. presence in Europe, the country is expected to remain a central player in global security arrangements, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among NATO allies in maintaining stability in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.