The United States is planning to transfer command of several NATO command centers in Europe as President Donald Trump encourages allies to take on greater responsibility for their own defense. According to two NATO diplomats, the command of the Naples command center, which focuses on the Alliance's southern flank, will be handed over to Italy, while the Norfolk command center in Virginia, which addresses the northern region, will be led by the United Kingdom. This move signals a shift in NATO's command structure, which is increasingly involving European allies, including newer member states, in leadership roles within the Alliance.

This decision comes amid ongoing discussions among NATO allies regarding the allocation of responsibilities among senior officers in the command structure. NATO officials indicated that the changes are intended to reflect a more equitable sharing of the burden of defense among member states, particularly as the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve. Diplomatic sources emphasized that this realignment is part of broader planning for future rotations of command positions to ensure responsiveness to security challenges in diverse regions.

The initial report of these changes came from the French publication 'La Lettre', and they are expected to take several months to be implemented. As NATO continues to adapt to current global security challenges, the commitment to enhancing the involvement of European allies in defense leadership reflects a strategic pivot that could have lasting implications for transatlantic relations and NATO's operational effectiveness in the future.