US reveals pick for Nato's next supreme allied commander
President
Donald Trump 's administration announced on Thursday its nomination for the next top US general in Europe and said the US military officer would also assume the traditional role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Saceur).
Trump's decision to nominate US Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich to both roles, which was first reported by Reuters, will relieve European Nato allies and even some of Trump's fellow Republicans amid concerns about a retrenchment in American military leadership of
Nato
Grynkewich must be confirmed by the US Senate.
The position of Saceur, which oversees all Nato operations in Europe, has been filled by a US general since its creation after World War II. US Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower became the alliance's first Saceur in 1951.
Still, since taking office in January, Trump's administration has pressured Nato allies to ramp up their defence spending, saying Europe should be primarily responsible for defence on the European continent.
Speaking at Nato headquarters earlier on Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was confident that members of the Nato alliance would agree to a major boost in defence spending. Photo: AP
Trump has also said he wants Nato allies to boost investment in defence to 5 per cent of gross domestic product, up from the current target of 2 per cent.
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