NATO Restructures Leadership Roles, Shifts Responsibilities to European Allies

US Defence Secretary skips critical NATO summit amid alliance changes

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The United States has welcomed recent efforts by European NATO member states to take on greater responsibility within the alliance, even as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was absent from the NATO defense ministers' meeting held Thursday in Brussels. The alliance is undergoing a restructuring that will see the UK, Italy, Germany, and Poland assume command of several key NATO Joint Forces Commands, a shift described as a "fairer distribution of responsibilities" within the alliance.

Why it matters

The absence of the US Defence Secretary at the critical NATO summit, along with the State Secretary's missed meeting in December, has raised questions about Washington's priorities toward the alliance. The restructuring of NATO's leadership roles signals a shift in the balance of power and responsibilities within the alliance, as Europe takes on a greater role.

The details

Under the changes, the United Kingdom will assume command of the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, while Italy will take command of the Joint Forces Command in Naples. Germany and Poland will alternate in leading the Joint Forces Command in Brunssum, the Netherlands. These adjustments are scheduled to be implemented gradually over the coming years. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the United States will have to focus more attention on the situation in and around the Pacific in the future, making it necessary for Europe and Canada to shoulder greater responsibilities.

  • The NATO defense ministers' meeting was held on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The alliance's decision to transfer several senior leadership positions from the United States to European allies was made earlier this week.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The US Defence Secretary who was absent from the critical NATO summit.

Marco Rubio

The US Secretary of State who also missed the last NATO foreign ministers' meeting in December.

Elbridge Colby

The third-highest official at the US Department of Defense, who stated that strengthening the contribution of European allies "provides a very strong basis for working together in a partnership, with a NATO 3.0 based on partnership instead of dependence."

Mark Rutte

The NATO Secretary General, who said the United States will have to focus more attention on the situation in and around the Pacific in the future, making it necessary for Europe and Canada to shoulder greater responsibilities.

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What they’re saying

“Strengthening the contribution of European allies provides a very strong basis for working together in a partnership, with a NATO 3.0 based on partnership instead of dependence.”

— Elbridge Colby, Third-highest official at the US Department of Defense (statenews.net)

“The United States remains committed to NATO's command and control system, including its continued role as Supreme Allied Commander Europe.”

— NATO (statenews.net)

What’s next

The adjustments to NATO's leadership roles are scheduled to be implemented gradually over the coming years.

The takeaway

The absence of the US Defence Secretary and Secretary of State from critical NATO meetings, coupled with the alliance's restructuring that shifts more responsibilities to European allies, signals a shift in the balance of power and priorities within the NATO alliance as the US focuses more on the Pacific region.