Name: U.S. ambassador suggests Germany take NATOs top military role
Uploaded: 2025-11-26T14:57:51.347Z
Duration: 1 min 3 s
Description: For decades, a US general or admiral has held the post as head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Now, more signs from Washington point to a change coming in the future.

For decades, a US general or admiral has held the post as head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Now, more signs from Washington point to a change coming in the future.

Berlin

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has indicated that Germany should eventually take over the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) position, which has historically been held by an American general. Whitaker described this as a long-term goal and emphasized the importance of European military capabilities matching those of the United States.

A German expert noted that if a European were to assume the SACEUR role, they would not have authority over U.S. troops, complicating the position's structure. Whitaker's remarks come amid concerns about a potential U.S. retreat from European security, highlighted by a proposed peace plan for Ukraine.

U.S. ambassador suggests Germany take NATO's top military role

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has suggested that Germany should eventually take over the alliance's top military role, signalling a potential shift in American leadership. Whitaker said he looks forward to the day Germany says it's ready to take over the Supreme Allied Commander position, known as SACEUR. He acknowledged this is a long-term aspirational goal, but emphasised that Washington wants European military capabilities to equal those of the U.S. Traditionally, the SACEUR role has always been held by a U.S. general commanding both NATO forces and American troops in Europe. However, a German expert told Euronews that a European commander would no longer have authority over U.S. troops, complicating the dual-headed nature of the role. Whitaker's comment comes amid fears of a U.S. retreat from European security, highlighted by a proposed peace plan for Ukraine that is seen as yet another sign of Washington stepping back from its leadership role in NATO.

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