General Alexus Grynkewich, the US European Command chief, will hand the Pentagon’s first assessment to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday. The review, part of a six‑month review, will map out options for US aviation, naval and ground forces across Europe.
The draft could see as many as 40,000 troops pulled out, cutting the current 80,000‑strong US footprint by almost a third. Some proposals even point to repositioning forces toward NATO’s eastern flank, a move that would reshape the alliance’s deterrence posture. The Pentagon says the decision is still early and no final cut has been approved yet.
European allies, especially Germany, Italy and Spain, have flagged the prospect as a blow to collective defense. Senators on both sides of the aisle warn that an abrupt drawdown could weaken NATO’s ability to deter Russia’s aggression.
Inside Washington, the State Department and Pentagon have kept a tight‑lipped line, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio stepped in after the Pentagon was poised to brief NATO defence ministers on large‑scale reductions. Rubio’s intervention came in June, underscoring the tension between the two agencies. The debate reflects a broader US shift toward other regions, with Trump arguing that Europe must shoulder more of its conventional defence.
After Hegseth receives the Pentagon’s recommendation on Friday, the proposal will be carried to President Donald Trump who is expected to decide by November 6.