Pentagon Plans 3-Star Europe-Africa Army Command, Replacing Gen. Donahue as Trump Cuts Europe Posture
Updated
Updated · NOTUS · May 15
Pentagon Plans 3-Star Europe-Africa Army Command, Replacing Gen. Donahue as Trump Cuts Europe Posture
2 articles · Updated · NOTUS · May 15
By mid-summer, the Pentagon plans to cut the Army Europe and Africa commander’s rank from four stars to three, according to five people familiar with the deliberations, a change that could displace Gen. Christopher Donahue.
The move fits the Trump administration’s broader Europe overhaul — pulling 5,000 troops from Germany, pausing an armored brigade deployment and pressing allies to shoulder more of the continent’s defense.
Wiesbaden-based U.S. Army Europe and Africa oversees operations across both continents, supports NATO allies and helps coordinate aid to Ukraine; the Pentagon elevated the post to four stars in 2020 after merging the commands.
The proposed downgrade also clouds Donahue’s future amid Army leadership turmoil, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth having fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and some officials viewing Donahue as a possible successor.
Congress could still intervene: at a Friday Army budget hearing, lawmakers from both parties said they were not consulted on the Europe troop changes and warned the cuts send a damaging signal to allies.
Is the Pentagon's European downgrade a calculated risk or a strategic blunder that invites regional conflict?
As America pivots to Asia, can Europe's new defense initiatives truly replace the U.S. security umbrella against Russia?
With U.S. stockpiles strained by the Iran war, is the European troop withdrawal a strategic necessity rather than a choice?