The United States will transfer command of the NATO Combined Commands in Naples (Italy) and Norfolk (Virginia) to European officers, Reuters reports, citing a military source.
Source: “Espreso”
This move aligns with the directives of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on European countries to take greater responsibility for the continent’s security and promoted the concept of “Europe-led NATO.”
Currently, both command centers are under the leadership of U.S. admirals. After the transfer, European officers will lead the headquarters, while the U.S. will retain control over three lower-level commands – air, naval, and land – which play a key role in Alliance operations.
A NATO representative explained that the changes are part of a new distribution of responsibilities among senior officers, in which European allies, including the newest NATO members, will have a more prominent role in the military leadership of the Alliance. Further details will be released later.