For the first time in nato’s 60-year history, a non-American will be taking over one of the alliance’s two strategic commands. Gen. Stephane Abrial, chief of staff of the French Air Force, will take over as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 9.

Allied Command Transformation’s (act’s) objectives are to “Provide appropriate support to nato missions and operations,” to “Lead nato military transformation,” and to “Improve relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organizations,” according to the command’s website.

The post of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation is traditionally held by an American four-star general. Abrial will be replacing U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis.

“For nato this is unprecedented,” said alliance spokesman James Appathurai. “It is a manifestation of the French return to the military structure, and also of France’s importance to nato’s future because the [Norfolk] command will help shape the alliance in the 21st century.”

nato’s other strategic command is Allied Command Operations in Belgium, run by U.S. Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis.

Abrial’s appointment as head of act is a symptom of America’s decreasing influence in the world. The man who will be in charge of transforming nato from a Cold War-era institution into a modern organization is not American. This gives Europe’s vision for the future of nato a greater chance of prevailing.

France has been outside of nato’s command structure for 43 years, although it has still remained a member of the alliance. In return for rejoining nato’s integrated command, France has said it wants the United States not to oppose the European Union developing a military role independent of nato.

Europe wants to increase its military power, either outside of nato, or by using nato as a tool. Watch for the EU to continue to try to make nato subservient to its own vision of the future.