Reuters: US to hand over two major NATO commands to European officers

The United States will transfer leadership of two key NATO command posts—in Naples, Italy, and Norfolk, Virginia—to European officers, a military source told Reuters on February 9.

The move aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for European nations to assume greater responsibility for their own security. His administration had advocated for a "European-led NATO," seeking to reduce the alliance’s long-standing reliance on U.S. military leadership.

Under the planned command reshuffle, European officers would take charge of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command in Naples and Joint Force Command Norfolk, both currently led by U.S. admirals, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

However, the United States would retain control of three slightly lower-tier commands that nonetheless hold significant operational responsibilities: Allied Air Command, Allied Maritime Command, and Allied Land Command, according to the military source and another individual familiar with the matter.

Commenting on the changes, a NATO official said: "Allies have agreed on a new distribution of senior officer responsibility across the NATO Command Structure in which European Allies, including NATO’s newest members, will play a more prominent role in the Alliance’s military leadership."

The official added that the decision is part of "planning for future rotations" and that further details would be provided in due course.

By Sabina Mammadli