Pentagon launches review that could reshape US military presence in Europe

STUTTGART, Germany — The Pentagon this week launched its planned review of the U.S. military mission in Europe, a move that could pave the way for a major overhaul as Washington shifts more of NATO’s defense burden to allies. 

Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top strategist, announced the start of the review, which he said will be “designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe taking primary responsibility for its conventional defense.”

“The outcome of this Review will be an acceleration of NATO’s transition to a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable alliance,” Colby said in a series of posts on X late Monday.

U.S. European Command’s Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who also serves as NATO’s supreme allied commander, will coordinate the effort with top Defense Department officials, Colby added.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the force posture review in June during a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

He said at the time that allies would be judged on their contributions, with “some countries” failing the assessment and others passing “with flying colors.”

The review comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s criticism of some NATO allies over their denial of support for the U.S. war with Iran.

According to Hegseth, the Pentagon will consider which countries align with its priorities and provide base access and overflight rights during military operations.

During Trump’s second term, the Pentagon has repeatedly said it wants European allies to take on most of the Continent’s conventional defense while the U.S. maintains its role in NATO’s nuclear deterrent.

The review, which will take up to six months to complete, will provide a range of options that consider “geopolitical and military realities,” Colby said.

The main goal is to restore NATO’s “character as a powerful warfighting organization,” a concept he calls NATO 3.0.

One factor likely to shape the analysis is the possibility of simultaneous conflicts with China and Russia. Last year, Grynkewich identified 2027 as a potential flashpoint for such a scenario.

“We’re going to need every bit of kit and equipment and munitions that we can in order to beat that,” Grynkewich said.

The Pentagon hasn’t detailed the extent of any troop cuts in Europe, but reductions could be significant if allies are expected to replace U.S. capabilities on the Continent.

The U.S. military presence in Europe has already been reduced over the past year. In October, the Army discontinued a rotational brigade mission in Romania. In May, an armored brigade’s deployment to Poland was canceled.

The Pentagon has also said it will cut 5,000 troops from Germany. One unit affected by that decision was a long-range fires team that was expected to deploy to Germany in 2026.

Meanwhile, Trump has directed the Pentagon to send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, a move that has yet to be implemented. To boost numbers there, the U.S. could restart troop rotations or shift forces from Germany to Poland.