Pentagon weighs pulling 25,000 U.S. troops from Europe despite warnings from NATO allies

The Pentagon is considering withdrawing roughly 25,000 to as many as 40,000 U.S. troops, along with planes, ships, and weapons, from Europe, according to seven current and former officials cited by NBC News. It would be the largest scaling back of the 80,000-strong U.S. presence there since the 1990s, with Germany, Italy, and Spain likely bearing the brunt.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a six-month review in June to align U.S. posture with what a senior Defense Department official called the president's 'commonsense, America First strategy.' General Alexus Grynkewich is expected to deliver his analysis September 18, with a final recommendation due to Hegseth on November 6 before any decision reaches the president.

A congressional Republican called a 25,000-troop cut unacceptable, warning that deterrence against Russia can't be done cheaply. The review comes as reports note the U.S. has already pulled roughly 5,000 troops from a German training area and most troops from Estonia, and as the administration separately explores economic deals with Russia.

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