Admiral To Command NATO

President Barack Obama has appointed Admiral James G. Stavridis,U.S. Navy,to be the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe.He will replace General Bantz J. Craddock,U.S. Army,on 2 July.Admiral Stavridis will be the first naval officer to serve as SACEUR.The post is traditionally filled by an American,while the NATO Secretary General,a civilian, is a European.The NATO alliance is currently fighting in Afghanistan,peacekeeping in Kosovo,and searching for pirates off the coast of Somalia.Admiral Stavridis is presently serving as Commander,U.S. Southern Command.