Trump administration weighs dramatic shift in NATO leadership
The Donald Trump administration is contemplating relinquishing NATO command in Europe, which could result in significant changes to the alliance's structure.
What do you need to know?
- Changes in NATO command: The Trump administration is considering stepping down from the role of NATO commander in Europe, a position the US has occupied for nearly 75 years.
- Planned savings: The proposed changes might save approximately €250 million in the first year.
- Reactions in Europe: The US withdrawing from NATO command could be perceived as a signal of reducing its commitment to the alliance.
Why is the US considering stepping down from NATO command?
According to ABC News, President Donald Trump's administration is considering stepping down from NATO command in Europe. At present, General Christopher Cavoli holds this position, with his term ending in the summer. The Pentagon's plans to restructure military commands may include relinquishing the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). This information comes from two independent sources familiar with the matter, according to the American network.
Is the US leaving NATO?
"For the United States to give up the role of supreme allied commander of NATO would be seen in Europe as a significant signal of walking away from the alliance," commented retired Admiral James Stavridis.
"It would be a political mistake of epic proportion, and once we give it up, they are not going to give it back," wrote Stavridis. "We would lose an enormous amount of influence within NATO, and this would be seen, correctly, as probably the first step toward leaving the Alliance altogether," he added.
Savings could amount to €250 million
The proposed changes aim to economise by reducing personnel and merging commands. Plans include combining the European and African Commands into one command in Germany and closing the Southern Command headquarters in the US. The potential savings could be about £210 million in the first year, representing around 0.03% of the annual Defence Department budget.
An American has occupied this position since the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower.
The former SACEUR, General Ben Hodges, also commented, suggesting that the proposed changes might be primarily economically motivated.
"The contemplated moves in Europe may reduce American influence there, as the U.S. could lose some access to key naval and air bases in Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain — bases that benefit the U.S. by putting them closer to potential missions and giving them more influence with and access to regional military officials, not only its allies," said general.
"When you start reducing capabilities of headquarters that do planning and intelligence — that only hurts us," said Hodges in an interview with NBC News.
