In front of NATO headquarters in Brussels, January 19, 2026. VIRGINIA MAYO / AP
Although French officials tried to put on a brave face in Brussels, the reorganization within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), approved by the allies on February 6, did not result in Paris gaining more sway than it previously held. This was despite lobbying efforts that began at least two years earlier, in anticipation of a high-stakes reshuffle triggered by the Alliance's enlargement to include Sweden and Finland in 2023 and 2024, as well as the United States's intention to scale back its engagement.
In this game of musical chairs, the first in more than a decade, France has, according to our information, retained the position of deputy chief of staff at "Shape," NATO's command of all allied forces. General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy currently holds this position. However, Paris has lost the position it held at Brunssum, Netherlands, within the regional headquarters responsible for commanding forces on NATO's eastern flank. This is an essential role at a time of heightened risk of escalation with Russia. France will still maintain a presence there, albeit at a less prominent level. Brunssum will now be commanded alternately by Germany, already in that role, and Poland, which is joining this level of command for the first time.
