United States reviews 80,000 military personnel in Europe before 6 November

US military presence in Europe under review

The United States is considering possible reductions to its contingent of roughly 80,000 military personnel currently stationed in Europe, as an internal Pentagon review develops at least four courses of action to be submitted to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth before 6 November. This deadline comes ahead of the official December target for completing the process, which was announced in June and could reshape both the scale and structure of the US military presence on the continent.

The review has prompted concern among NATO allies, who fear it could lead to significant cuts in US troop numbers and may also be used to exert pressure on countries which, according to President Donald Trump, provided insufficient support to the United States during the Israel-Iran war.

Pentagon options and NATO consultations

A central part of the process is set out in a previously undisclosed Terms of Reference document. Under the planned timetable, the most senior US military commander in Europe is due to meet the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, before 18 September. That meeting is expected to play a key role in shaping the options eventually presented to Hegseth.

Colby is also expected to meet NATO ambassadors in Brussels to discuss the review. A senior Pentagon official acknowledged that there is a clear requirement for at least some options to include a reduction in the US military presence in Europe, while stressing that the process is intended to offer different alternatives rather than implement a decision that has already been made. European officials, however, have privately raised doubts about how open the review truly remains.

US military presence in Europe and allied commitments

When he announced the process in June, Hegseth had already criticised what he described as “free-riders” within the alliance, while signalling that matters involving US access, basing arrangements and overflight rights would be more clearly defined. The document now revealed broadens the review to cover the space, cybersecurity and intelligence architectures supporting US power projection, as well as assessing whether each country has credible plans to meet its defence spending commitments.

The review is also taking place amid Trump’s continuing criticism of several European governments. The US president argues that allies have relied on American security guarantees for years while providing inadequate support during the war with Iran, including delaying or refusing permission for US military aircraft to use their airspace.

With the Pentagon expected to present its options before 6 November, the outcome could directly affect the future size and configuration of the United States military presence in Europe. It would also add another point of pressure to the debate between Washington and its NATO allies over burden-sharing, military access and defence commitments.