NATO has appointed a new Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, with American General Alexus Grynkewich taking charge of the alliance’s defence against potential threats like a Russian attack.
The 53-year-old Grynkewich, a combat pilot with over 2,300 flight hours, was previously the Director of Operations for the US Army Joint Staff at the Pentagon in Washington.
Grynkewich succeeds fellow American General Chris Cavoli. NATO allies are relieved that the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) remains an American, as they feared the US might want to distance itself from the alliance, especially under the Trump administration which aims to shift focus towards China.
Washington ultimately decided to retain the significant role, which offers substantial influence for minimal cost. The SACEUR links NATO’s nuclear and non-nuclear defences. While the US suggests Europe take on non-nuclear defence responsibilities, it hasn’t proposed withdrawing nuclear protection, which a European SACEUR might struggle to manage.
The SACEUR commands all NATO forces in the event of a Russian attack on a NATO member. The position was first held by Dwight D. Eisenhower, the World War II Allied Commander and later US President, in 1951.
Grynkewich was inaugurated as the new SACEUR in a ceremony at NATO’s headquarters in Mons, Belgium. The event featured formal procedure and a speech from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who expressed confidence in Grynkewich, nicknamed ‘Grinch’ after the character from the animated film due to his demeanour in military circles.
