Could US pull one-third of troops from Europe? What that would mean

Key Points:

• The US is considering a major reduction of its military presence in Europe after European allies denied Washington access to their airbases for operations related to the war on Iran, with Pentagon commanders expected to submit plans soon.
• Options under review include withdrawing up to one-third or even 40,000 troops along with military assets, primarily affecting forces in Germany, Italy, and Spain, or repositioning troops closer to NATO’s eastern flank near Russia.
• The drawdown could weaken the US nuclear deterrence posture in Europe and signal vulnerability to Russia, though some experts note moving forces eastward might mitigate concerns as European countries bolster their own defenses.
• Relations between the US and Europe have soured due to disagreements over defense spending, trade tariffs, and European opposition to US military actions on Iran, contributing to tensions within NATO.
• Similar strains are evident with other US allies like Taiwan, where shifting US military focus to the Middle East has raised concerns about diminished American deterrence against China in the Pacific region.