German General Carsten Breuer takes over leadership of NATO's Military Committee

German General Carsten Breuer was elected president of NATO’s Military Committee on Saturday and will take office in the middle of next year for a three-year term. He will replace Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and become the principal military adviser to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The election was announced by the German Ministry of Defence, which stated that the defence chiefs of the member states had designated the Bundeswehr’s Inspector General for the position. German Minister Boris Pistorius said that Breuer would have a “clear line” in the face of the growing threat, originating mainly from Russia.

Pistorius stressed that European states must become more involved in their own security and conventional deterrence, as the United States may focus its attention on other regions, including its rivalry with China.

The appointment of the German general represents, according to the minister, recognition of Berlin’s efforts to strengthen the Alliance. Germany has increased its military spending and has become the main European contributor to support for Ukraine.