NATO defense ministers met in Brussels today amid European concerns over U.S. disengagement, but Washington says it will make only limited troop reductions and remains committed to the alliance. NATO has launched “Arctic Sentry,” indicating that High North defense operations are an institutional priority.
The Brussels meeting convened without the presence of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who sent Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon policy chief, instead. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte dismissed concerns about Colby’s past advocacy of large-scale U.S. troop reductions in Europe. However, unnamed U.S. officials are reportedly telling European leaders not to expect major U.S. troop drawdowns anytime soon. Officials in Washington are saying that any withdrawal would be limited, government officials from seven different European countries said, reported Politico. Instead, the U.S. will make targeted changes and small pullbacks of rotational forces, leaving the vast bulk of American combat troops and materiel in place.
