Oh my God ! And if the DSaceur was no longer British…
(B2) For years, NATO's deputy operations commander — the DSaceur for short — has been a national of His Gracious Majesty (the commander still being an American). What if this tradition ceased due to Brexit? This assumption is not entirely far-fetched. And it was mentioned very seriously by the renowned RUSI, the Royal Institute of International Relations, established in London (download here his study published in January).
« It is possible that the UK's position within the NATO command structure could also be affected by leaving the EU. There is already discussion of the possibility that the assignment of the post of Supreme Allied Commander (DSACEUR) to the United Kingdom, which it has held since 1951, could be transferred to a NATO member who is an EU member. ».
And the RUSI to recall - relying on history - that there are alternatives.
« A second position of DSACEUR could be recreated (Germany held this position until 1993), or the UK could swap its current position for the important role of Chief of Staff. »
Even if the actual result of this change remains quite "limited" operationally, « the fact that they are already being raised sends a clear message that the UK's role and influence in NATO cannot be fully isolated from the consequences of Brexit." insists the eminent institute.
Comment: a reflection to have...
If this hypothesis remains... hypothetical, it seems certain, on the other hand, that a Briton could no longer ensure the role of operation commander for a European operation within the framework of the Berlin Plus agreements (1). Assuming that this type of European operation using NATO resources is still used after 2019 (supposed date of the real separation of the United Kingdom from the EU).
NATO will have to find a solution, a parade. Officially the question is not on the agenda. Unofficially in the corridors, we ponder. The Alliance could very well designate an operation commander for the Berlin Plus agreements other than the DSaceur.
This provision is not really foreseen by the Berlin Plus agreements but it is not completely excluded either. The agreements thus underline that In this case, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) is the primary candidate for EU Operation Commander ". In other words, the DSaceur is a natural candidate but he is not sacred.
This solution would have the advantage of not upsetting the Alliance hierarchy. After all, the United Kingdom is, in terms of budget, the country with the largest budget after the United States. And he has always held a firm position on NATO's role as participating intensively in all its operations (1). There is therefore, beforehand, no reason to change this device.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) Contrary to what happens on the EU side.
