Maria Ragutkina11:33, 19.03.25
The US’s relinquishment of its role as NATO’s supreme commander could be seen as a signal that America is leaving the alliance.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the possibility of giving up command of NATO forces in Europe as part of a restructuring of combatant commands that would allow the Pentagon to significantly reduce spending, two sources in the US Department of Defense told NBC News .
According to the publication, for almost 75 years, all NATO operations in Europe have been led by four-star American generals. This practice began with World War II hero Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Trump is considering giving up his role as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), two department officials said, in what would be a symbolic shift in the balance of power in the alliance that has defined European security and peace since World War II.
Retired Admiral James Stavridis, who headed European Command from 2009 to 2013, believes that the US giving up its role as NATO’s supreme commander would be perceived in Europe as a significant signal of withdrawal from the alliance:
“It would be a political mistake of epic proportions, and once we give up that role, they will never go back. We would lose enormous influence in NATO, and it would be seen as the first step towards leaving the alliance entirely.”
The restructuring of combatant commands comes as the U.S. federal government is cutting spending and personnel, and the Trump administration has previously signaled that European partners must take more responsibility for their own defense.
It is believed that a potential US decision on SACEUR could prompt other NATO countries to choose who will take on the role of commander of the alliance’s forces on the continent.
Pentagon sources say five of the 11 combatant commands could be merged if the U.S. relinquishes its command role. The restructuring plan could also include merging U.S. European Command with Africa Command or closing U.S. Southern Command’s Florida headquarters to be merged with Northern Command.
Defense officials believe this will save money by cutting personnel. If the plan is implemented, it will save up to $270 million in the first year, which is about 0.03% of the Pentagon’s annual budget.
A potential US decision on NATO forces in Europe is expected to reduce American influence on the continent. The United States would lose access to key naval and air bases in Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain.
“When you start cutting the capabilities of headquarters, which is the planning and intelligence function, it just hurts us. What strategic analysis led them to do that? It happened so early that it clearly smacks more of a cost-cutting exercise than a strategic analysis,” said retired U.S. Army officer Ben Hodges.
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