Washington is weighing a withdrawal of approximately 5,000 military personnel from Europe instead of the larger cuts feared by allies, according to people familiar with the matter.
European leaders had previously anticipated potential reductions of up to 25,000 troops from the roughly 80,000 U.S. service members currently stationed across the continent. That smaller scale is now under consideration because Washington has viewed increased NATO defense spending favorably, alongside the ongoing U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.
Pentagon leadership has recognized how heavily the U.S. military relies on forces posted across Europe to project power into the Middle East. American forces utilize European military infrastructure and airspace to support ongoing operations, raising the strategic value of the current footprint. The Pentagon considers American bases in Europe essential to operations in the Middle East.
Most of the reductions would focus on Germany, which hosts the largest contingent of American military personnel in Europe. Meanwhile, Washington is considering reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank, with countries bordering Russia offering to help cover the costs of stationing units on their territory.
“We have a lot of assets here that are right where we want them,” Matt Whitaker, the U.S. envoy to NATO, said earlier in November regarding the potential cuts. “I don’t expect anything big.”
Allies recognize that Washington evaluates its force posture through its own national interests. According to British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, the United States gauges its military deployments principally on the basis of its foreign policy and national security priorities. “They are looking at this sort of nakedly through the lens of US interest,” Streeting told reporters in Washington in mid-October.
“While sometimes the narrative might be the US is in Europe to benefit Europe, I think the hard reality is the US is in Europe because it benefits the US,” Streeting said.
Congress passed legislation in 2025 restricting the Defense Department from reducing troop levels in Europe below 76,000, or from divesting bases and removing major equipment without consulting allies and conducting a detailed risk analysis. Should Democrats win control of Congress following the Nov 3 midterm elections — thereby gaining authority over government spending — Trump’s capacity to execute substantial reductions would be restricted.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the review earlier in 2026.
“America cannot care for – or pay more for – Europe’s defence than our allies do,” Hegseth told NATO allies, adding that “Europe can and must take primary responsibility for its conventional defence.”
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby is slated to deliver a formal report to Hegseth based on potential scenarios delivered in September by General Alexus Grynkewich, head of U.S. European Command.
Hegseth is expected to submit final recommendations to President Donald Trump on Dec 1.