Pentagon Reviews U.S. Troops in Europe
PHOTO CAPTION: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, after a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers at the Alliance headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File Photo
BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 — Senior European diplomats plan to reassure the Pentagon’s top policy official on Thursday that they are doing more for their own defense as uncertainty grows over a U.S. review of troop deployments in Europe and concern persists over Russia, officials told Reuters.
Washington announced a six-month review of its military presence in Europe in June as the Trump administration pressed European allies to assume primary responsibility for the continent’s defense. The review also followed President Donald Trump’s criticism of European governments for not doing more to support the United States in the war with Iran.
Since Trump returned to office last year, NATO has faced unusual strain, with some members questioning whether Washington remains fully committed to the alliance created in 1949 largely to deter a Soviet attack on Western Europe.
The review is being led primarily by U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and has prompted questions in European capitals over whether the process is a genuine consultation, a symbolic exercise or a negotiating tool.
“We don't know if it's a real exercise or if a decision has already been taken,” one European official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.
“What we want to make sure is that the U.S. understands it can rely on many allies,” the official added.
U.S. asks allies about bases, spending and policy
Colby is expected to brief ambassadors from NATO member states at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.
“The United States is consulting with Allies as part of its force posture review,” a NATO official said.
The United States currently has about 80,000 troops stationed in Europe. In recent months, Washington has announced troop withdrawals and reduced the forces it assigns to NATO defense plans, leaving European governments waiting to see whether the review will result in further cuts.
Officials said two documents circulated by Washington to NATO members this summer have raised additional questions about U.S. intentions.
A “terms of reference” document listed goals including expanded access, basing and overflight rights in Europe, according to two people familiar with the matter. It also called for encouraging and ensuring that European allies take the lead in defending the continent.
NATO governments also received a questionnaire covering defense spending, strategy, procurement and support for U.S. foreign policy priorities.
“What if any restrictions has the country placed on U.S. access, basing, and overflight (ABO)? If so, why? Are they willing to reduce or eliminate any such restrictions?” the questionnaire asked.
It also asked whether governments had publicly opposed regulations or other measures that could inhibit transatlantic defense-industrial cooperation and whether they would be willing to change those positions.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur told Reuters on Wednesday that Tallinn was preparing its response.
“Estonia shares the view that Europe needs to do more for its own defence,” Pevkur said.
Europeans question how review will be used
Colby said Wednesday that the review was intended to support NATO’s evolution.
“The Review is designed to ensure our strategic posture in Europe advances and accelerates the NATO 3.0 of an Alliance rededicated to … clarity, rigor, and readiness,” he wrote on X.
But some European diplomats remain uncertain about how Washington intends to use the process.
One diplomat said U.S. officials likely already know the answers to many of the questions and described the apparent linking of basing arrangements to political positions as a highly transactional approach to the alliance.
One question asks whether a country has publicly supported U.S. foreign policy in Europe, the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere.
Officials said the review could encourage competition among European allies seeking to secure a continued U.S. military presence.
“Some allies are making offers to the U.S. to improve terms for troops and basing rights,” one European official said.
A second European diplomat said it was important for NATO’s top military commander to remain involved and “that the review doesn’t become a beauty contest.”
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Allies prepare their case
European officials view Colby as an influential figure in shaping U.S. strategy and are expected to use Thursday’s meeting to emphasize their own defense contributions.
“We are pretty optimistic although nothing is set in stone,” an Eastern European official said, adding that the country had received “promising signals from the U.S.” and submitted an extensive response to Washington’s questionnaire.
Still, some officials believe the final outcome could remain unpredictable because Colby is not the administration’s ultimate decision-maker.
“Whatever he says might be overruled by Trump or (Defense Secretary Pete) Hegseth within 20 minutes,” one NATO source said.
(Source: Reuters)
