Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said NATO allies must carry more of the defense burden as Washington prepares for the possibility of simultaneous conflicts in multiple regions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United States has told NATO allies it will reduce the number of American forces committed to the alliance’s force model, arguing that Washington must be prepared for the possibility of multiple conflicts at the same time.
The U.S. Department of War notified allies June 3 that it intends to “rightsize” its contribution to the NATO Force Model in line with the 2026 National Defense Strategy and the department’s vision for what officials called “NATO 3.0,” according to a statement from United States European Command.
American officials first informed NATO members of the decision May 22 during a meeting of defense policy officials at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, commander of USEUCOM, said the change reflects the need to end what he described as an “unhealthy co-dependence” on American forces inside the alliance. Grynkewich also serves as Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth “have been clear that this needs to change, and it will change,” Grynkewich said.
“The potential reality of simultaneous conflict in multiple theaters demands it,” he added.
Grynkewich said reducing U.S. force commitments to NATO would make the alliance’s defense planning more realistic by limiting overreliance on American forces. He said the United States needs those forces available to deter threats in other regions and respond to shifting global contingencies.
USEUCOM said the decision is based on the view that European NATO members and Canada are now “increasingly capable of fielding the preponderance of forces required to defend the Alliance.”
Grynkewich said the change was coordinated over several months between USEUCOM and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. NATO members discussed the issue again during a force sourcing conference held June 2-3 at SHAPE in Mons, Belgium, where representatives from all 32 alliance militaries were present.
“SHAPE continues to work with Allies to offset the reduced American capabilities,” Grynkewich said.
He said other NATO members can quickly help close gaps by increasing air and naval contributions.
“Two areas where Canada and European Allies can step up now and in the near term—as the United States reduces forces ‘sourced’ to the NATO Force Model in Europe and refocus them elsewhere—is with manned and unmanned aircraft, and with naval vessels,” Grynkewich said.
The general said allies have already begun increasing their commitments, but added that July’s NATO summit in Ankara will give member states another opportunity to demonstrate unity.
“Allies have been stepping up. And nations have an opportunity to contribute and send a clear message of strength and commitment to our common defense ahead of July’s NATO Summit in Ankara,” he said.
The announcement follows a broader shift in U.S. defense policy under the Trump administration. The Pentagon released its National Defense Strategy on Jan. 23, prioritizing homeland defense and the protection of American interests throughout the Western Hemisphere. The strategy also says the United States will push partners in Europe and other regions to take primary responsibility for their own defense, with U.S. forces providing “critical but limited support.”
The force reduction also comes amid growing frustration in Washington over NATO members’ actions during the Iran war. U.S. officials have criticized several allies for not providing enough support, including Spain, which closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said May 22 that NATO must serve all members’ interests.
“Like any alliance, it has to be good for everyone who’s involved. There has to be a clear understanding of what the expectations are,” Rubio said.
Rubio said the Trump administration, and Trump personally, were dissatisfied with NATO’s current posture.
“I don’t think anyone is shocked to know that the United States and the president, in particular, is very disappointed at NATO right now. … Why is NATO good for America? Because it gives us bases in the region that allow us to project power during a contingency in the Middle East or somewhere else,” Rubio said.
“So, when that is the key rationale for why you’re in NATO, and then you have countries like Spain denying us the use of these bases, well then why are you in NATO?” he added.
The planned reduction marks a major signal to NATO allies that Washington expects Europe and Canada to assume a larger share of conventional defense responsibilities. U.S. officials said the change is intended not to weaken NATO, but to force a more balanced alliance structure as American planners prepare for the possibility of simultaneous crises in Europe, the Middle East, the Western Hemisphere or other regions.
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