Pentagon Weighs Pulling 25K US Troops From Europe
The review could cut nearly a third of U.S. forces in Europe and shift aircraft, ships and weapons as allies warn of weaker deterrence.
- On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed it is weighing a plan to withdraw between 25,000 and 40,000 troops from Europe, representing the most significant scaling back of the 80,000-strong U.S. presence since the 1990s.
- A six-month review of U.S. military posture follows previous reductions, including about 5,000 troops ordered out of Germany earlier in 2026 and President Donald Trump's roughly 12,000-troop withdrawal from Germany in 2020.
- NATO allies warn that a large-scale withdrawal could weaken the deterrent potential against Russian aggression, as the administration weighs pulling troops from the continent despite allied concerns.
- Roughly one-third of all U.S. forces currently stationed in Europe could be affected; critics accused the Trump administration of aligning with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with former GOP congressman Joe Walsh calling him a "Russian asset."
- Former U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul questioned, "What US national security interest would this decision advance?" while investigative journalist Robert van der Noordaa declared, "Trump is helping Putin to attack Europe.
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99 Articles
The Pentagon is looking at a significant reduction in American military personnel in Europe, and one of the scenarios under discussion would include the withdrawal of up to 40,000 soldiers.
NBC News reported that the US Department of War, the Pentagon, is studying a plan to withdraw some 25,000 troops from its forces deployed in Europe, approximately one third of its current size, in a step that will be the largest since the end of the cold war if implemented.
Reductions can affect Germany, Italy, and Spain most, but the US is discussing an increased presence in Poland.
The media have found out how many U.S. troops can withdraw from Europe after a review of their presence on the continent
The Pentagon is considering a plan to withdraw planes, ships, weapons and tens of thousands of American soldiers from Europe, despite warnings from NATO allies about the growing threat from Russia. The reduction could include about a third of all American troops in Europe, or about 25,000 soldiers. According to some officials, the cut could be even greater and reach up to half of the troops, or about 40,000 soldiers, NBC reports. If implemented,…
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