Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) serves as the headquarters of NATO's Allied Command Operations (ACO) and is responsible for the overall direction and control of NATO's military operations. It is the strategic military command center for NATO, located near Mons, Belgium. SHAPE is in the news due to recent adjustments in its operational posture and new strategic planning initiatives. Specifically, SHAPE has relocated all personnel from its mission in Iraq to Europe, with operations continuing from Naples, Italy. This adjustment follows security concerns in the Middle East. Furthermore, SHAPE is initiating military planning for a new mission called "Arctic Sentry" to enhance security in the Arctic region, prompted by increasing geopolitical interest and strategic importance of the Arctic. These developments highlight SHAPE's ongoing role in adapting to evolving security challenges and maintaining NATO's readiness across its area of responsibility.