Trump Administration Weighs Major Changes to NATO and U.S. Military Commands

Proposals to relinquish NATO's top military role and merge combatant commands face bipartisan opposition over risks to U.S. leadership and global deterrence.

• The Trump administration is reportedly considering relinquishing the U.S. role as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), held by an American general since 1950.
• Proposals include merging European and Africa Commands as well as Northern and Southern Commands to cut costs, potentially saving $1 billion over five years.
• Republican Armed Services Committee chairs Mike Rogers and Roger Wicker issued a rare joint statement opposing unilateral changes without congressional consultation.
• Defense experts and former NATO commanders warn that relinquishing the SACEUR role could weaken U.S. influence in NATO and signal reduced American global leadership.
• Mitch McConnell and bipartisan lawmakers express concerns that the proposed changes could undermine global deterrence and embolden adversaries like Russia and China.

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