The Pentagon is urging NATO allies to demonstrate increased commitment to European defense as the United States reorients its security focus toward the Indo-Pacific region and challenges closer to home. This push comes as the U.S. has begun reducing its troop presence in Europe, currently numbering around 80,000.
A review is underway within the Pentagon to determine the extent of potential further troop withdrawals. The U.S. military presence has been a cornerstone of NATO's deterrence against adversaries in Europe, notably Russia.
The scope of future U.S. troop reductions will be contingent on the effectiveness of European allies and Canada in assuming greater responsibility for conventional defense within Europe. Under the proposed shift, the U.S. would provide a fallback capability, including nuclear support, only when necessary.
Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense, acknowledged efforts by Germany, Poland, and Scandinavian countries during a briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels. However, he also stated, "We hope to see more from countries like the United Kingdom."
Colby outlined Washington's objective to establish "a more realistic, fit-for-purpose, fit for time, more balanced structure" for NATO. He indicated that this approach would guide the ongoing review of the U.S. posture in Europe.
The Pentagon has distributed a survey to allies, seeking written responses on their plans to align with U.S. objectives. "We just received several of the questionnaires, so we’re looking forward to reviewing them," Colby said, declining to name which countries had submitted their responses.
The survey reportedly includes requests for information beyond NATO's direct purview, such as allies' willingness to grant U.S. forces unimpeded access to their bases and airspace. This comes amid European hesitations regarding U.S. military actions, exemplified by the prior U.S.-led intervention in Iran without extensive consultations with allies.
Colby emphasized the shared interest in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating, "We need to be able to have the ability to operate effectively. We need predictability."