{"id":52766,"date":"2017-10-25T15:45:33","date_gmt":"2017-10-25T15:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/10\/25\/nato-weighs-new-commands-as-broader-reorganization-effort\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:54:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:54:06","slug":"nato-weighs-new-commands-as-broader-reorganization-effort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2017\/10\/25\/nato-weighs-new-commands-as-broader-reorganization-effort\/","title":{"rendered":"NATO weighs new commands as broader reorganization effort"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 As NATO reportedly considers the creation of two new commands, the alliance\u2019s senior military officer has said a review is needed for how it is currently organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that NATO leadership is considering the creation of two new commands. The first command would focus on logistics and how to quickly move troops and materiel around Europe in case of a conflict. The second would be charged with protecting the sea lanes in the Arctic and the Atlantic, a major concern given Russia\u2019s emphasis on rebuilding its submarine fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in Washington, Gen. Petr Pavel, chairman of NATO\u2019s Military Committee, declined to comment directly on the report, as nothing has been formally decided. But he acknowledged talks are ongoing, with plans to finalize a new structure of the alliance during a February 2018 meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current NATO structure \u201cwas useful for a time of peace, but now there are some deficiencies for crisis and especially for conflict,\u201d Pavel said at an event hosted by the Defense Writers Group. \u201cThese deficiencies were identified, and we also reflected new challenges, such as cyber and hybrid warfare, and all these require some adjustments to our structure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want to draft anything on a blank sheet of paper. We start where we are, with existing structures and existing resources, and our effort is to adjust it to fit the requirements, not to reconstruct it,\u201d Pavel added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also acknowledged that any major change to NATO\u2019s structure requires figuring out funding, which is a result of \u201cpolitical will\u201d from the 29 allied nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\t