The Pentagon is considering options that could remove 25,000 to 40,000 American troops from Europe as part of a broader review intended to shift greater responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense to European NATO members, while President Donald Trump simultaneously signals a possible new U.S. Army base in Poland.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is considering a substantial restructuring of the American military presence in Europe that could withdraw tens of thousands of troops from the continent, even as President Donald Trump moves toward a possible new U.S. Army base in Poland.
No final decision has been made.
One option under consideration could remove approximately 25,000 service members, or nearly one-third of the roughly 80,000 U.S. troops currently stationed throughout Europe, according to NBC News.
Other scenarios being evaluated could reduce the American presence by as many as 40,000 personnel, approximately half of the current force. Aircraft, naval assets, weapons and other military equipment could also be affected under the options being studied.
Germany, Italy and Spain are among the countries that could experience significant reductions because they host some of the largest concentrations of American forces in Europe, according to officials cited in the report.
“The prospect of such dramatic cuts has alarmed lawmakers from both parties and European governments concerned about emboldening Russia,” NBC News reported.
The potential reductions are being considered as part of a six-month review announced by War Secretary Pete Hegseth in June. The review is examining U.S. bases, troop deployments and military capabilities throughout Europe while evaluating how individual NATO members are contributing to the alliance.
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, was expected to provide Hegseth with an initial assessment Friday. The review has not yet produced a final recommendation.
Hegseth has described the process as part of his effort to develop what he calls “NATO 3.0,” an alliance in which European nations assume primary responsibility for the conventional defense of their continent while the United States adjusts its forces to meet military requirements elsewhere.
“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” Hegseth said this summer, according to NBC News.
The Pentagon has publicly described NATO 3.0 in similar terms, saying European allies should increase military spending, weapons production and combat capabilities rather than continue relying heavily on American forces for conventional deterrence.
“NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that (NATO) needs to go back to a real hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe,” Hegseth said.
European allies, he added, “have to be willing to stand up and do something in a strong way about” defending their own continent.
The policy does not necessarily mean that every U.S. force removed from Western Europe would leave the continent permanently. The review is examining the broader distribution of American military assets and whether the current force structure reflects the administration’s strategic priorities.
The Pentagon has continued discussing expanded defense cooperation with several European governments even while conducting the review.
Hegseth met with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius this week and publicly praised Germany for increasing military spending and moving toward the administration’s burden-sharing objectives. The Pentagon said the two discussed defense industrial cooperation and Europe taking greater responsibility for its conventional defense.
Italy has likewise been part of those discussions. Approximately 30,000 American service members, civilian personnel and family members are currently associated with the U.S. presence there, according to the Pentagon, and Hegseth has previously thanked Italy for hosting U.S. forces while calling for a broader rebalancing of NATO responsibilities.
The administration’s relationship with individual European allies could also factor into the review.
NBC reported that Germany, Italy and Spain were among the governments that disagreed with Trump over aspects of the war involving Iran. They also host significant American military infrastructure.
Hegseth has said the review is intended to examine not only troop numbers but whether allies are meeting the commitments Washington expects from them.
“We’re going to keep a close eye on allies who are not doing that and who say ‘no,’ or ‘maybe’ or ‘wait and see’ when it matters most,” Hegseth said. “It’s a review that some countries will fail and others will pass with flying colors. In the end, the review is intended to both improve U.S. force posture and basing and strengthen NATO 3.0.”
The War Department said when announcing the review that its purpose was to evaluate whether America’s military footprint and its allies’ contributions match the administration’s plans for a more Europe-led NATO.
“This is the right thing to do by the American people; it’s the right thing to do by this alliance. Europe can and must take primary responsibility for its conventional defense as it pledged at The Hague Summit and in the process safeguarding Europe’s defense for generations to come,” Hegseth said.
The review, he continued, “will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe, stepping up to ensure our forces are postured for America’s global needs, and stepping up to make sure that our access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured.”
At the same time the Pentagon weighs potential reductions elsewhere, Trump is discussing a more permanent U.S. military presence in Poland.
“Thanks to the bold leadership of my friend, Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, major progress is being made toward establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland,” Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social.
“If this happens, the location will be announced very soon. This will be a historic step for our Great U.S./Polish Alliance,” Trump added.
Trump did not announce a finalized basing agreement or location.
Polish officials have sought an expanded American presence as Warsaw increases defense spending and focuses on deterrence along NATO’s eastern flank. Poland currently hosts U.S. personnel on a rotational basis, and its government has previously offered to host a permanent American military presence.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki responded that his government was prepared to continue working with Washington on the proposal and would seek an appropriate location if an agreement is finalized.
The developments illustrate that the Pentagon review is broader than a straightforward withdrawal from Europe.
Hegseth is examining where American forces should be based, what capabilities they should maintain and how much of the conventional defense burden should be transferred to European allies. That could result in substantial reductions in some Western European countries even while Washington maintains or expands its military relationship with countries farther east.
The possibility of withdrawing 25,000 to 40,000 troops remains one of several options rather than an approved policy.
The Pentagon’s final recommendations will ultimately be presented to Trump, leaving the size and location of the future American military presence in Europe unresolved while the administration completes its NATO 3.0 review.
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