Defence, NATO adopts a new command structure: an Italian arrives at the Naples base. Here is what changes

A reorganisation of commands, of responsibilities in the 'control room', which goes in the direction of an ever greater involvement of Europeans in the defence of their continent. NATO has made official the 'new distribution' of responsibilities within the command structure of the Atlantic Alliance. The 'new governance' recognises a 'greater role' for Europeans. The agreement was reached on 6 February.

The official confirmation came in a communiqué issued on Tuesday 10. On that occasion, the Atlantic Alliance clarified that "the United Kingdom will assume command of Joint Force Command in Norfolk, Italia that of the Joint Force Command in Naples, both currently led by the United States". Not only: 'Germany and Poland will share command of the Joint Force Command in Brunssum on a rotational basis,' the note continues, 'as a result, all three Joint Force Commands (four-star commands), which lead at the operational level in crisis and conflict situations, will be led by Europeans.

The decision is only the latest step in a process that began with the arrival of Donald Trump to the US presidency. The current occupant of the White House since the beginning of his second term has always advocated the need for Europeans to take charge of the defence of their territories, more generally for there to be greater European responsibility. The first step in that direction came at the June summit in The Hague last June, when the Allies pledged to invest 5% of their annual GDP in basic defence requirements and defence and security-related expenditures by 2035. They will allocate at least 3.5 per cent of annual GDP, based on the agreed NATO Defence Expenditure Definition, by 2035 for Defence Fundamentals and to achieve the Atlantic Alliance Capability Goals. Also on that occasion, the Allies agreed to submit annual plans showing a credible and incremental path to achieve this goal. Up to 1.5 per cent of annual GDP will be invested to, among other things, protect critical infrastructure, defend networks, ensure civil preparedness and resilience, and innovate and strengthen the defence industrial base.

The core of the new NATO set-up does not change, as the supreme military command of the Alliance remains in the hands of the United States, and in particular in those of General Alexus Grynkevich, who from the headquarters in Mons, Belgium, is responsible for all NATO moves.

The NATO Naples Command, headquartered in Lago Patria (Naples), is one of the Atlantic Alliance's two strategic level operational commands in Europe. It is the hub of the Atlantic Alliance's strategy for the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa, but also has jurisdiction over the Balkans, an area of strategic importance for Italia. It coordinates key missions, including KFOR in Kosovo and assistance activities in Iraq.