The NATO has a new supreme commander in Europe. US General Alexus Grynkewich has taken over leadership of the alliance’s defense. “This shows that the United States is involved,” said Air Force officer Grynkewich at his appointment.
Grynkewich succeeds a compatriot, Army General Chris Cavoli. The fact that the so-called Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) has become an American again is a relief for many European allies. This has been the case since the founding of NATO, but European member states feared that the United States wanted to break with that tradition.
The Trump administration wants to shift attention to emerging China and counter the new major rival. But according to Grynkewich, all member states are committed to the alliance. He says his appointment shows that this also applies to the US. Washington therefore decided not to give up the important post. It yields a lot of influence at little cost.
Moreover, the SACEUR is the link between NATO’s nuclear and non-nuclear defense. The US wants to leave the latter to the Europeans in the future, but does not mention withdrawing their nuclear protection. It would be difficult for a European SACEUR to deploy the American nuclear arsenal.
The SACEUR commands all NATO troops if, for example, Russia were to attack a NATO country. The Allied Supreme Commander in World War II and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first in 1951.
Grynkewich took office as the new SACEUR at a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Bergen, Belgium. This happened with much ceremony and a speech by Secretary General Mark Rutte.