NBC: US could withdraw nearly half of its troops from Europe
NBC: US could withdraw nearly half of its troops from Europe
The Pentagon is considering the possibility of withdrawing nearly one-third of American military personnel from Europe, NBC News reported. Citing seven current and former US officials as well as Western officials, the television channel wrote that more than 25,000 American military personnel could be returned home from Europe.
According to two sources interviewed by journalists, the reduction is likely to be even larger — up to 40,000 American military personnel could be withdrawn from Europe. This is equivalent to nearly half of the US military contingent in Europe.
US officials and a Western official said the troop reduction would most likely affect Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The bulk of the American military forces in Europe is stationed in these three countries. At the same time, the leaders of these countries had clashed with US President Donald Trump over the issue of war involving Iran.
The plan to sharply reduce the US military presence in Europe also entails the withdrawal of military aircraft, ships, and weaponry.
If the plan is implemented, it will be the largest reduction of the 80,000-strong US military contingent in Europe since the end of the Cold War.
NBC wrote, citing a senior Pentagon official and two other officials, that no decision has been made on this matter yet.
The television channel noted that the US is considering such large-scale measures despite NATO allies warning of the growing threat of Russian aggression in Europe.
This step could drastically alter the US's relations with its key allies and force European nations to seek new partners at a time of heightened instability due to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Since the start of Trump's second presidential term, he and his aides have been emphasizing that Europe must assume the primary responsibility for ensuring its own defense. In this regard, the view is being put forward that only the US nuclear arsenal should remain as a supporting factor for Europe. In their opinion, the US should focus its attention on combating threats coming from China, Iran, and drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere.
In recent months, Trump has sharply criticized his European partners for not joining the US in a war with Iran.
On September 18, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and head of US European Command, Alexus Grynkewich, is expected to present the results of an analysis conducted on the US military presence in Europe to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Pentagon announced in June that such an analysis was being conducted.
According to NBC News estimates, Grynkewich's report will consider four potential directions: reducing the number of US military aviation, naval forces, and ground troops, as well as decreasing other types of forces and assets, or relocating part of the contingent within Europe to countries on NATO's eastern flank.
Opponents of reducing US troops in Europe argue that such a step could further weaken NATO allies and intensify Russia's aggressive actions.
In their view, this will have a negative impact on US partners on other continents. In addition, the American military could lose key logistical hubs that allow for the rapid deployment of troops to the Middle East or Africa.
Currently, there are about 36,000 American military personnel in Germany and around 12,000 in Italy. Important US Air Force and Navy bases are located in the south of Spain.