Pentagon Cuts NATO Crisis Forces as 5,000 U.S. Troops Leave Europe
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 19
Pentagon Cuts NATO Crisis Forces as 5,000 U.S. Troops Leave Europe
11 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 19
Friday’s Brussels meeting will bring a formal U.S. notice that Washington is shrinking the military assets it would make available to NATO in a major crisis or war, according to three sources.
The cut targets the NATO Force Model — the alliance’s pool of forces earmarked for rapid activation — and reflects President Donald Trump’s push for Europe to assume primary responsibility for conventional defense.
Elbridge Colby’s team has made revising that commitment a priority before NATO’s July summit in Turkey, while still saying the U.S. nuclear umbrella for allies will remain in place.
Mark Rutte called the move “to be expected” as NATO tries to reduce reliance on one ally, but the plan is deepening concern in Europe and on Capitol Hill after recent U.S. moves to cut about 5,000 troops from the continent.
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