2026/03/04 by John R. Deni, Mark Webber · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #European and Russian Geopolitical Military Strategies #International Relations and Foreign Policy #Military and Defense Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/00396338.2026.2647642
openalex publication_date 2026/03/04 · openalex created_date 2026/03/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/18
The Trump administration’s disengagement from Europe has spawned significant discussion regarding the US military presence in Europe, America’s role in supporting Ukraine, and Washington’s commitment to Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty. Potential changes to the American role in the NATO Command Structure (NCS) have received comparatively little attention. This is surprising considering Americans occupy a disproportionate number of senior positions in the NCS, and given the importance of the NCS as a tool of influence across the Alliance. Even so, additional American disengagement from the NCS is likely, perhaps to include the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) – a consequence of Washington’s strategic prioritisation of homeland defence, the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific, and the US desire to see allies lead conventional defence in Europe. This will involve profound political and operational challenges, but there are pathways for an orderly transition.