The NATO commander in chief in Europe is traditionally an American. Current: The four-star general Alexus Grynkewich.Image: keystone
analysis
Aside from the political noise surrounding Greenland, the Americans are already withdrawing from NATO. It begins in the command structure that is vital to the alliance’s survival. It is questionable whether the Europeans can fill the gap.
February 14, 2026, 10:16 amFebruary 14, 2026, 10:17 am
Remo Hess, Brussels / ch media
How long can NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte keep up the facade? The Greenland dispute has already been forgotten. Everything is fine. The USA remains “fully committed” to the NATO defense alliance, the Dutchman once again vowed at the NATO meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
Really? How can we then explain that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was the second time the representative of NATO’s most powerful member stayed away from a formal meeting in December?
Something like this is extremely unusual. If you ignore then-Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, who had to cancel 2024 at short notice due to cancer, you have to go back over 20 years. Back in 2003, shortly after the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq, it was Colin Powell who thought now might not be the right time to meet with his fellow NATO foreign ministers. After all, there had previously been an open dispute in the alliance over the attack against the country of dictator Saddam Hussein under the US flag of the “War on Terror”.
Holes in the command structure are extremely dangerous
But even if one wants to forgive Hegseth and Rubio for their absence: the USA’s withdrawal from NATO, its farewell to Europe, is already taking place.
Last week, NATO announced that it would transfer management of the two operational headquarters in Naples (Italy) and Norfolk (USA) from the Americans to European hands. The former is responsible for the southern flank. In the second, operations in the North Atlantic are controlled. With Brunssum in the Netherlands, all three NATO operational commands are now with the Europeans.
What sounds like a bureaucratic redistribution within the alliance is highly relevant militarily. You have to know: A functioning command structure is the backbone of every army. You can own as many planes, tanks and soldiers as you like. But if you can’t use them, you’re ultimately incapable of fighting. Without a head, all muscle power is of no use.
The problem: With the two US generals, an entire, highly qualified force is saying goodbye that will be difficult to replace. And the exodus of Americans continues at the lower levels.
Only an American can command Americans
The commander of a NATO headquarters is usually a four-star general or admiral. You have to count 40 officers per general star. A NATO country must provide a four-star general with 160 officers. These are not non-commissioned officers. But senior members of the General Staff with at least seven years of practical experience, preferably in an international environment. And as we all know, such things don’t grow on trees.
An Italian and a Brit now take command in Naples and Norfolk. Within NATO, Germany has recently become number 1. The Bundeswehr contributes around 30 general stars to the alliance. Makes 1,200 officers. And the current Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, could soon be elected chairman of the NATO Military Committee, the highest military body. Germany wants to take responsibility, said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday regarding personnel.
Test in Eastern Europe shows serious defects
But it will be a long time before the Europeans finally take over begging from the USA. The so-called “Supreme Allied Commander in Europe” (SACEUR), i.e. NATO’s highest commander in Europe, is traditionally an American. Currently it is Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. This also has to do with the fact that US troops can only be commanded by US generals, as is an unwritten rule. And despite everything, there are still some US soldiers in Europe.
Above all, however, only the USA can currently offer a truly integrated, functioning chain of command from a single source in NATO. This was also evident in an exercise by ten European NATO states in Eastern Europe last fall. Under French command, a multinational brigade and equipment were quickly moved across Europe to Romania and Bulgaria. It should be tested how this works without US leadership.
According to reports, there were not only massive problems with logistics. But also serious difficulties in the command structure. Conclusion: Despite rearmament – without the USA, a European NATO will hardly be operational in the next few years. (aargauerzeitung.ch)