PENTAGON CONSIDERS WITHDRAWING UP TO 25,000 US TROOPS FROM EUROPE

Fri 18 September 2026:

Proposed drawdown could cut the American military presence in Europe by nearly one-third as Washington pushes NATO allies to shoulder more of the defense burden

The Pentagon is weighing plans to withdraw at least 25,000 US troops from Europe, a move that could reduce the American military presence on the continent by almost one-third, NBC News reported Thursday.

The potential reduction could be significantly larger, with as many as 40,000 troops under consideration for withdrawal, according to current and former US and Western officials cited by NBC. Around 80,000 American military personnel are currently deployed across Europe.

No final decision has been made, and the proposals remain under review.

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Germany, Italy and Spain Could Be Affected

Germany, Italy and Spain, which host some of the largest concentrations of US forces in Europe, are among the countries that could see changes to the American military footprint.

The options form part of a six-month Pentagon assessment of US force deployments across Europe. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of US European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander, is expected to submit an initial assessment to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday, NBC reported.

The review is expected to examine several possibilities involving US air, naval and ground forces. It could also consider shifting some American military assets toward NATO’s eastern flank, closer to Russia.

Hegseth is expected to receive a final recommendation on Nov. 6 before any proposal is forwarded to President Donald Trump for consideration.

US Pushes Europe to Take Greater Defense Role

The review reflects a longstanding position of the Trump administration that European NATO members should take greater responsibility for conventional defense, allowing the United States to direct additional military resources toward other regions.

A significant reduction in US forces could affect the distribution of NATO capabilities across Europe, particularly in areas such as air power, logistics, intelligence, naval operations and reinforcement of the alliance’s eastern members.

European governments and some US lawmakers have expressed concern about the possibility of a rapid drawdown, warning that changes to the US military presence could affect NATO’s ability to deter Russia.

The debate comes as European countries have been increasing defense spending and discussing how to strengthen their own military capabilities, while continuing to rely heavily on the United States for certain strategic capabilities.

Pentagon and State Department Reportedly Differ

NBC also reported differences between the Pentagon and State Department over the process for reviewing the US military posture in Europe.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly intervened in June after the Pentagon prepared to brief NATO defense ministers about potential large-scale troop reductions.

The issue has also drawn attention in the US Senate, where lawmakers have separately urged Rubio to ensure that the State Department and American diplomats are fully involved in the review.

The proposed troop reductions remain subject to further assessment and presidential approval, meaning the size and location of any eventual changes to the US military presence in Europe have yet to be determined.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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