The United States has given its allies in Europe a greater role within NATO by transferring two joint commands to Italy and Britain and restoring the naval command in Northwood, diplomatic sources said Monday. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stressed that President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen the alliance and encourage the Europeans to increase their defense spending.
Published on: 02/10/2026 - 04:34
Diplomatic sources said Monday that the United States intends to give up two commands within NATO in exchange for assuming additional leadership, at a time when US President Donald Trump calls on European countries to bear greater responsibility for their security.
Under the new arrangements, Washington will transfer to Italy the command of the allied joint forces stationed in Naples, southern Italy, and in charge of operations in the southern side of the region between Europe and the Atlantic Ocean.
It will also give up the Joint Forces Command located in Norfolk in the eastern United States, which is responsible for the north of the same region, and this command will be transferred to Britain.
As for the Third Command of the Joint Forces, which monitors the situation in the eastern region between Europe and the Atlantic, it will continue to be stationed in the Netherlands under the command of a German officer at the present time.
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The three commands are operational units responsible for planning and implementing any potential NATO operations.
In return, US forces would restore the Allied Naval Command based at Northwood, UK.
Two NATO diplomats told Agence France-Presse, requesting anonymity, that it is expected that these changes will not take effect for a few months.
One of them saw the move as “a good signal of an actual transfer of responsibilities.”
A NATO official explained, "The allies agreed on a new distribution of responsibilities for senior officers within the NATO command structure, where European allies, including the newest NATO members, will play a more prominent role in the military leadership of the alliance," without going into additional details.
He added, "This decision is part of planning for future rotations."
Through this, the United States reaffirms its pivotal military role within the alliance since its founding in 1949, by assuming the central command of the land forces (Landcom), naval forces (Marcom), and air forces (Ircom).
It also maintains Supreme Command of Allied Forces in Europe, a strategic position held by an American officer since the founding of the alliance.
The position of Secretary-General, which has a political nature, remains traditionally held by a European figure.
In turn, the US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, stressed on Monday that Trump seeks to strengthen NATO, not “dismantle” it, by urging the Europeans to increase their defense spending.
Whittaker also stressed, "We are working to strengthen NATO, not to withdraw from it or dismiss it, but we must ensure that it fulfills its role as an alliance that includes 32 strong and competent allies."
France 24/AFP
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