U.S. Hands Over Some NATO Commands to European Allies

The move shows European countries are taking more responsibility for conventional war planning.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The United States will hand over some NATO commands to European allies, NATO announced on Tuesday. The U.S. will remain in overall charge of NATO and allied forces through the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, but European countries will now run three key Joint Force Commands in Italy, the Netherlands, and Virginia. This shift aims to have European allies take on more responsibilities within NATO, allowing the U.S. to focus more on the Pacific region.

Why it matters

The move reflects a long-standing U.S. push for its European NATO allies to take on more defense responsibilities, a priority that has been amplified under President Trump. It also underscores the continued American command role in NATO, even as Europe takes on greater leadership in conventional war planning.

The details

The three Joint Force Commands - in Naples, Italy; Brunssum, the Netherlands; and Norfolk, Virginia - will now be run by Britain, Italy, Germany, and Poland. A German commander already runs the Brunssum command, which would be most responsible for any land war in Eastern Europe. These changes will be implemented gradually over the coming years.

  • The changes were announced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • The shift in commands will be carried out incrementally in the coming years, in line with the existing scheduled rotation of personnel.

The players

Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich

The current Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a post that has always been held by an American.

Matthew Whitaker

The American ambassador to NATO, who said the move would strengthen the alliance.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which announced the shift in commands to European allies.

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What they’re saying

“Anything that allows our allies to step up and do more and take on more leadership in the alliance is a good news story and a common-sense move.”

— Matthew Whitaker, American ambassador to NATO

“The United States is not receding or going away. But we do need to make sure that the critical capabilities are, you know, enhanced and by our European allies.”

— Matthew Whitaker, American ambassador to NATO

What’s next

The changes in NATO command structure will be implemented gradually over the coming years, in line with the existing scheduled rotation of personnel.

The takeaway

This shift in NATO command reflects the long-standing U.S. push for European allies to take on more defense responsibilities, allowing the U.S. to focus more on the Pacific region. It also underscores the continued American leadership role in NATO, even as Europe assumes greater conventional war planning responsibilities.