Donald Trump plans to keep an American general at the head of NATO’s Joint Forces in Europe despite Washington’s push for European allies to take more responsibility for their security. This is reported by Reuters, citing three US and one Western official and a NATO source.
About his decision, according to one of the interlocutors of Reuters, Trump himself informed privately the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte. The decision will ‘reassure European allies’ and some Republicans who fear that Washington’s categorical statements could mean a rapid reduction in US military leadership in the alliance, Reuters wrote.
The post of NATO’s commander-in-chief in Europe is now held by Christopher Cavoli. U.S. officials name Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, who serves as director of operations at the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, as the next expected candidate. The post of commander-in-chief of NATO’s Allied Forces in Europe, as Reuters notes, has been held by U.S. generals since its creation after World War II.
Still, officials say, White House warnings that the Trump administration needs to shift its focus to Asia and domestic security are sincere. The Trump administration has also discussed a possible reduction of U.S. troops in Europe (about 80,000 troops are now stationed there), but no decisions have been made.
