The Pentagon has reportedly announced plans to “significantly scale down” the size of forces that Europe can rely on during a conflict.
President Donald Trump’s administration is set to inform European NATO members that the United States will reduce military capabilities available to the bloc in the event of a major crisis, including an attack on a member state.
Although the composition of forces under the NATO Force Model remains classified, the Pentagon has decided to “significantly scale down” its commitment.
The adjustment is expected to be formally announced at a meeting of defense policy chiefs in Brussels on May 22. The U.S. representative at the meeting will be Alex Velez-Green, a senior aide to Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby.
Colby’s team has made the adjustment of the NATO Force Model a key priority ahead of the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit in Türkiye in July. Despite urging Europeans to take the lead on conventional forces, Colby previously stated that the United States would “strenuously oppose” efforts by allies to develop nuclear weapons as a replacement for the American nuclear umbrella.
This announcement comes amid an ongoing reduction in the U.S. military presence in Europe. In 2025 alone, more than 80,000 U.S. troops were stationed across the continent under a decades-old system of combined territorial defense and deterrence that dates back to the end of World War II.
The White House has reportedly prepared a NATO “naughty and nice” list to reward nations that supported the United States-led military campaign against Iran and penalize those who did not, with potential measures including troop movements, reduced exercises, or changes in military cooperation.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon canceled the scheduled rotation of 4,000 troops into Poland following its announcement of withdrawing 5,000 soldiers from Germany. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has reportedly halted the deployment to Germany of a battalion specializing in long-range missiles.
European NATO members remain heavily reliant on U.S. capabilities, including intelligence satellites, long-range missiles, heavy airlift, and undersea warfare support. Despite recent increases in military budgets, these nations have justified their spending by citing an emerging Russian threat.
Moscow has criticized the militarization of Europe, claiming that Western governments are using “ostentatious Russophobia” to transform the EU into a military bloc and shift focus from domestic concerns.
