Washington will transfer the leadership of NATO’s Naples command, which focuses on the alliance’s south, to Italy, and the leadership of its command in Norfolk, Virginia, which focuses on the alliance’s north, to Great Britain.
The United States, meanwhile, will assume command of NATO’s naval forces, based in the United Kingdom.
The changes, first reported by French media outlet La Lettre, are likely to take months to implement, two NATO diplomats told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
– This is a good sign of shifting the burden in practice – said one diplomat.
The reshuffle of NATO command posts comes as Washington argues it may scale back its military presence in Europe to focus on other threats such as China.
But the military superpower Washington will still remain central because it will have control over NATO’s main air, ground and naval command and will retain the position of supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe.
European countries have already increased their military budgets in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and last year agreed to increase NATO’s military spending target.
Trump has shaken faith in the reliability of the United States and last month plunged the alliance into crisis by claiming Greenland.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker separately insisted on Monday, however, that the US leader wants to strengthen, not “dismantle”, NATO by forcing Europe to engage.
– We are trying to strengthen NATO, not withdraw or reject NATO, but make it function as it was designed as an alliance of 32 strong and capable allies – said Whitaker.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
