Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich of the US Air Force is to succeed General Christopher Cavoli of the US Army as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO in Europe. The nomination of the American was approved by the North Atlantic Council, according to a statement issued by NATO on Thursday. The three-star general is expected to take up his post at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, in the summer. There had recently been uncertainty as to whether the USA would fill the post with a US official as before or withdraw. The Trump administration is increasingly demanding that European NATO partners take more responsibility for their own defense. A possible withdrawal of the USA from the SACEUR position should encourage the Europeans to take on more financial and military burdens.