US begins review of military presence in Europe – “Era of NATO as paper tiger is over”

The United States has launched the previously announced review of its force deployment on the European continent.

Elbridge Colby, the Secretary of State and the third highest-ranking official at the Pentagon, described this on X as a “genuine review.” The goal is for the North Atlantic Alliance to act without delay to ensure that the main burden of Europe’s conventional defense falls on the continent’s own countries.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the low financial contributions to defense by European NATO allies. Recently, however, a number of states, including Germany, have recorded a substantial increase in their military budgets.

The news of this review of the American presence had been announced by Trump administration Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a NATO defense ministers’ meeting held in Brussels in June. He predicted that the process would stretch for about half a year.

“For a long time, NATO has functioned as a paper tiger and a one-way street, but that has now come to an end,” Hegseth stated on that occasion. Although he noted the progress in strengthening the military capabilities of European partners, he also highlighted the existing obstacles. According to him, President Trump had put member countries to the test, but “many of them” failed.

Hegseth’s reference appeared to target the refusal of some other NATO states to support the US in the conflict against Iran. The United States and Israel had launched a military attack on Iran back in February, an undertaking in which the Alliance’s European partners chose not to engage. A large number of experts view the American operation in Iran as a violation of international law.

In his statement, Secretary of State Colby did not provide details regarding the specific elements of the military structure that would undergo this review.

However, during June, media sources had indicated that, in addition to personnel numbers, the review would also include, with the aim of reducing them, the fleet of fighter jets, drones, aerial refueling aircraft, and naval units deployed in Europe. Currently, US forces in Europe number around 80,000 troops.

Pentagon focuses on new objectives

According to Colby, this review process aims to align the US military presence in Europe with the latest strategies and is based, among other things, on a clear perception of geopolitical and military situations.

From the new defense strategy presented by President Trump in January, it clearly emerges that, despite the unwavering intention to remain a strong NATO partner and consequently an ally of the Europeans, the United States sees its main priorities in defending the national territory and containing China.

Earlier, during the spring, Trump and Hegseth had warned of the withdrawal of some American military units, including those stationed in Germany, a decision that triggered strong reactions in the local communities that risked being affected.

Contradictory information has circulated on this topic: at one point, it was said that at least 5,000 soldiers (out of around 39,000 currently stationed there) were expected to leave Germany within a period ranging from six to twelve months. Moreover, the Washington administration has frozen the projects for the installation of long-range cruise missiles on German soil. / DW