NATO has announced the transfer of its Supreme Commander position to Europe, emphasizing sustainability, while the US has opted not to send officials to the recent defense ministerial meeting.
On December 12, NATO held a defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, where it confirmed the transfer of the Supreme Commander position from US military officials to European nations. This decision comes in light of a broader strategy to enhance NATO's sustainability and equitable burden-sharing among member nations. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of this shift during a press conference, indicating it is vital for the alliance's operational effectiveness.
The plan involves reallocating key command positions over the next few years, specifically moving the posts currently held by US leaders in Naples, Italy, and Norfolk, Virginia, to Italy and the UK, respectively. This adjustment means that all three NATO command structures will now be headed by European officers, with the only exception being the NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Operations, which will continue to be held by a US military officer. NATO's announcement describes this restructuring as part of a commitment to fairer distribution of responsibilities among its members.
Furthermore, notable during this meeting was the continued absence of US ministers following their prior decision not to attend the foreign ministers' meeting last December. This raises questions regarding the US's commitment to NATO and its engagement with European allies, especially in light of changing political dynamics and military strategies under the current administration.
