Pentagon to Review U.S. Military Deployment Operations in Europe

The U.S. Department of Defense, known as the Pentagon, is conducting a review of American military deployments across Europe.

At least four groups of options will be presented to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth by November 6, ahead of the December deadline for completing the review, according to a document seen by Reuters.

NATO allies are concerned that the six-month review, announced last June, could lead to broad reductions in the approximately 80,000 U.S. troops stationed throughout Europe, and penalize countries perceived by President Donald Trump as failing to support the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran.

The Pentagon's "reference criteria"—previously unspecified—outline steps for the internal review and some standards to be used in assessing U.S. decisions on establishing military bases across Europe.

Among key details in the document is a plan for the top U.S. general in Europe to attend a decision-making briefing with Pentagon Policy Director Elbridge Colby by September 18, according to the document.

That briefing will be essential, according to the document, in discussing the options to be developed for Hegseth.

NATO skepticism

Colby is expected to speak with NATO ambassadors about the review on Thursday at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.

Responding to questions about the reference criteria, a senior Pentagon official said the fact that a detailed set of options will be generated confirms the seriousness of the process.

The official added: "We want to be able to discuss the pros and cons of a diverse range of force levels or different formations."

But it remains unclear whether these details will convince skeptical European officials, who in private sessions have expressed concern that Washington’s decision may already be made.

Trump administration has long indicated its intent to reduce military resources dedicated to Europe, hoping allies will shoulder a greater share of the burden compared to historical levels.

Trump has also voiced frustration over European NATO allies’ long-standing reliance on American security guarantees while failing to provide sufficient support for the war against Iran.

Allegations include some allies denying U.S. military aircraft access to station and fly over their territory, or doing so only slowly.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed some understanding of Trump’s disappointment but said the vast majority of Europeans have been cooperative.

A Pentagon official said the Trump administration clarified it is "moving toward providing decisive and more limited support led by allies."

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added: "President Trump has felt frustrated, rightly and clearly, by the behavior of some allies in recent months. So it’s evident there is at least an indication of options that would show us (a reduction) in our force levels in Europe."

Nevertheless, the official said the review aimed to "provide a range of options on where we might end up" as a result of the review.

"Free riders"

In announcing the review in June, Hegseth criticized some NATO allies as "free riders," stating the review would ensure "clearly defined access, basing, and flight rights for U.S. military operations."

The reference criteria go beyond this, demanding reliable U.S. access rights, including basing and flight rights—known as ABO—in allied NATO nations. They also examine space and cyberspace, and "intelligence infrastructure and capabilities enabling the United States to project global influence," according to the document.

A senior official said the Pentagon expanded the definition of ABO to ensure all types of support provided by NATO allies are considered.

The reference criteria also address other ways to assess allies, aligning with previous statements by senior U.S. officials.

The document states the Pentagon will seek to determine whether allies have a reliable track record in fulfilling their NATO spending commitments and closing gaps in NATO’s rapid response forces—known as the NATO Force Model—after earlier U.S. announced cuts this year.

Reuters reported on a U.S. survey sent to allies to enrich the review process.

The survey covers issues ranging from defense spending and strategy to procurement and support for U.S. foreign policy priorities.

"What restrictions, if any, has the country imposed on U.S. access, bases, and flights (ABO)? If so, why? And are they willing to reduce or eliminate any of these restrictions?" the U.S. asked in the survey.

Another question read: "Has the country publicly opposed regulations or other measures designed to hinder or reduce defense industrial cooperation across the Atlantic? If so, how? If not, would they be willing to do so?"

Responses are due by Friday.

The official said: "We are working very hard, and the timeline is relatively tight. A lot of prior analysis will contribute to this, allowing us to move faster on our end."