The United States will gradually scale back the number of strategic bombers, fighter jets, drones, submarines and warships assigned to NATO, as part of a broader effort to reduce its military footprint in Europe, according to reports citing diplomats and officials.
According to Politico, Pentagon adviser Alexander Velez-Green made the announcement during a closed-door meeting of NATO policy directors on Friday. The outlet reported that the U.S. did not provide a timeline for the reductions and that the adjustments are still being finalized.
Diplomats interviewed by the news outlet said the scale of the reductions could vary significantly depending on each country’s capabilities, with some assets fully withdrawn while others are reduced or partially maintained.
“It will depend on the capacity of the others to come in with alternatives … some are not touched, others go completely, others can go to one-half or one-third,” the diplomat said.
According to a military source cited by TVP World, the U.S. is planning to cut its deep-strike capabilities in Europe by half. The source said Washington has asked European allies to submit plans outlining how they intend to close the capability gap resulting from the U.S. decision by July.
Separately, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the Trump administration had informed allies it planned to reduce the pool of U.S. military capabilities available to NATO during a crisis.
The move comes after President Donald Trump criticized European allies for what he described as a lack of support during the U.S. military campaign against Iran. Earlier this month, Trump said the U.S. would withdraw over 5,000 troops from Germany after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Washington’s approach to the Iran conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told fellow NATO foreign ministers on Friday that troop reductions in Europe are already underway, while stressing that the process will remain coordinated with allies.
“It’s well understood in the alliance that the United States troop presence in Europe is going to be adjusted — that work was already ongoing, and it’s been done in coordination with our allies,” Rubio told reporters in the Swedish city of Helsingborg. “I’m not saying they’re going to be thrilled about it, but they certainly are aware.”
Europe did not join against for fear of internal turmoil caused by the huge influx of Muslim invaders, er migrants, that they allowed into their countries.
Exactly right – gutless progressive Euro politicians have sold their countries & citizens out and are now scared to death of the invading hordes or muslims that HATE anyone other than muslims and hate each others “tribes” as well.