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Greenland Today
By the People, for the People
US Wants Europe to Take Over NATO's Conventional Defense
Washington seeks to shift focus to the Pacific, says envoy Matthew Whitaker.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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The United States wants European NATO member states to become less reliant on the US and take over the conventional defense of the European continent, according to US envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker. This would allow Washington to shift its focus to the Pacific region. Whitaker said the US is not receding from NATO, but expects Europe to 'take on more leadership in the alliance'.
Why it matters
This shift reflects the US's desire to prioritize its own defense and the Pacific region, where it sees China as a growing threat. It also puts more responsibility on European nations to build up their own military capabilities and take a leading role in regional security issues, such as supporting Ukraine.
The details
Whitaker said the US wants 'Europe to take over the conventional defense of the European continent' so that Washington can move its forces to the Pacific. He likened European NATO members to 'children' who must now 'leave parental care and get a job.' While lauding allies for committing to spending 5% of GDP on defense, Whitaker suggested they are being too slow in turning this money into actual military capabilities.
- On Tuesday, NATO announced that the US would be handing over some of the bloc's commands to European allies.
- In the coming years, the UK will take over Joint Force Command Norfolk, with Italy becoming responsible for Joint Force Command Naples. Germany and Poland will lead Joint Force Command Brunssum on a rotational basis.
The players
Matthew Whitaker
The US envoy to NATO who has called on European member states to take on more responsibility for the continent's defense.
Donald Trump
The former US president who repeatedly accused NATO allies of freeloading off the US and failing to spend enough on defense.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of European and North American countries.
What they’re saying
“The United States is not receding or going away, but we want Europe to take on more leadership in the alliance.”
— Matthew Whitaker, US envoy to NATO (news-pravda.com)
“Europe to take over the conventional defense of the European continent”
— Matthew Whitaker, US envoy to NATO (news-pravda.com)
What’s next
In the coming years, the UK, Italy, Germany, and Poland will take over various NATO command roles as the US shifts more responsibility to European allies.
The takeaway
This move by the US reflects its desire to focus more on the Pacific region and China, while pushing European NATO members to take a greater leadership role in the alliance and build up their own military capabilities to defend the continent.
