The USA has long been calling for more responsibility from Europeans in security issues. NATO is now being restructured.
The announcement was made almost silently, but is intended to provide a pillar of credibility shortly before one of the most important security strategy meetings of the year. A few days before the start the Munich Security Conference The USA is initiating its demands for greater responsibility for Europeans when it comes to security. More than once, US President Donald Trump loudly announced that the US-dominated military alliance must become a kind of “European-led NATO”. Previous governments, such as those under Barack Obama, had also expressed similar things, but in a much gentler tone. Now concrete steps have become public.
At the end of last week, the members of the alliance agreed on a reorganization of the command structure and changes to the staffing of posts. Specifically, this means that Great Britain will take over command of the so-called Joint Force Command in Norfolk, Virginia, from the USA, while Italy will take command of the Joint Force Command in Naples from the USA. In addition, Germany and Poland will take turns in command of the Joint Force Command Brunssum in the Netherlands.
With this castling, the Europeans are given significantly more weight and responsibility. However, the USA remains a relevant player in military operations and should continue to lead important commands of the air force (Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate) and the land forces in Turkey. The new addition is the naval force command in Northwood in Great Britain. These changes will be implemented gradually over the coming years.
More management jobs for Europe
The agreement is a step towards a fairer distribution of burdens within NATO, it said a statement from the military alliance. This also means more leadership jobs for the European countries within the military alliance. At the same time, the USA will continue to hold the position of commander in chief of the armed forces in Europe.
In around two weeks it will be the fourth anniversary of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. In view of the new threat situation, a number of European countries had significantly increased their defense budgets. One marker is NATO’s five percent target for military spending.
According to media reports, Germany is likely to benefit the most from the new structures. In addition to three- and four-star generals, other general positions are also included in the respective commands.
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