The United States is preparing to scale back the military forces it would make available to NATO during major crises, according to multiple sources familiar with internal Pentagon discussions. The move marks another significant shift in Washington’s defense strategy under President Donald Trump and signals a broader effort to push European allies toward taking primary responsibility for their own security.
The planned announcement, expected during a meeting of NATO defense policy chiefs in Brussels, could become one of the most consequential changes to the alliance’s military structure in decades. While the United States is not abandoning NATO, the reduction in available forces under the NATO Force Model highlights growing tensions within the alliance and raises questions about the future balance of power between America and Europe. The NATO Force Model is a framework that identifies military capabilities that member states can rapidly deploy during a conflict or emergency involving the alliance. These forces may include ground troops, air support, naval assets, missile defense systems, logistics units, and intelligence capabilities.
Although the exact composition of the force pool remains classified, NATO relies heavily on American military power. For decades, the United States has served as the backbone of the alliance’s conventional deterrence strategy, especially in Europe. Under the new plan, however, Washington intends to significantly reduce the number of military assets it would dedicate to NATO operations in wartime scenarios. Sources familiar with the matter say the Pentagon believes European nations should increasingly handle their own conventional defense responsibilities.
The change aligns closely with President Trump’s long-standing criticism of NATO members for failing to spend enough on defense while depending too heavily on American military protection. President Trump has repeatedly argued that Europe must stop relying on the United States as its primary security guarantor. Since returning to office, his administration has intensified pressure on European governments to increase military spending and build stronger independent defense capabilities.
For Trump and many of his advisers, the current NATO structure places an unfair burden on American taxpayers and military personnel. They point to the fact that the United States still maintains tens of thousands of troops across Europe while many NATO countries continue struggling to meet defense spending targets. The administration’s latest move appears designed to transform those political demands into concrete military policy.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, one of the architects of the new strategy, has publicly stated that the United States will continue to provide nuclear protection for NATO allies. However, he has also emphasized that Europe should lead on conventional military operations.
This distinction is important. While America may still guarantee nuclear deterrence, reducing conventional commitments could significantly alter NATO’s operational readiness during a regional conflict. The announcement is expected to deepen anxiety among European allies already worried about the long-term reliability of the United States.
Several NATO governments fear that Washington may eventually reduce its military presence in Europe even further or shift strategic attention almost entirely toward Asia and competition with China.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has already announced plans to cut approximately 5,000 American troops stationed in Europe. One particularly controversial decision involved canceling the deployment of a U.S. Army brigade to Poland, a move that surprised both European officials and American lawmakers.
Critics argue that these reductions could weaken deterrence against potential adversaries. Eastern European NATO members have consistently pushed for a stronger American military presence since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and rising tensions along NATO’s eastern flank. Although some diplomats believe the United States would still defend Europe in a major crisis, uncertainty surrounding Washington’s long-term commitment is clearly growing.
European leaders have responded by accelerating military modernization programs and increasing defense budgets. Countries such as Germany, Poland, and France have all announced significant investments in military capabilities over the past several years. However, European officials also acknowledge that rebuilding military capacity after decades of underinvestment cannot happen overnight. Many NATO countries still depend heavily on American intelligence systems, strategic airlift capabilities, missile defense infrastructure, and advanced logistics support. Replacing those capabilities domestically would require years of investment and coordination.
At the same time, political divisions within Europe complicate efforts to create a unified defense strategy. While some governments support greater military independence from Washington, others remain deeply committed to maintaining strong American leadership within NATO. The situation has become even more complicated due to broader political tensions between the United States and several European allies.
Relations between Washington and Europe have become increasingly strained under Trump’s second presidency. One major source of controversy has been Trump’s stated ambition to take control of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. The proposal triggered outrage across Europe and intensified concerns about American foreign policy priorities.
Additionally, disagreements over the Middle East have widened diplomatic divisions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently criticized Trump’s military actions and policies regarding Iran, creating further friction between Berlin and Washington. These disputes have contributed to a growing perception among European officials that the traditional transatlantic partnership is entering a period of uncertainty.
Despite these tensions, NATO leaders continue publicly emphasizing alliance unity. Most officials insist that cooperation between North America and Europe remains essential for global stability. Still, behind closed doors, many policymakers are preparing for the possibility that Europe may need to operate with less direct American military involvement in future crises.
The Pentagon’s planned reduction in NATO force commitments could represent a historic turning point for the alliance.
For more than seventy years, NATO has depended heavily on American military leadership. The United States provided not only the largest share of troops and equipment but also the strategic coordination necessary to maintain collective defense across Europe. Now, that model appears to be changing. Supporters of the administration’s strategy argue that Europe has both the economic strength and technological capacity to assume greater responsibility for its own defense. They believe a stronger and more self-reliant Europe would ultimately create a healthier and more balanced alliance.
The upcoming NATO summit in Turkey this July is expected to become a critical moment for addressing these concerns. Alliance leaders will likely face difficult negotiations over burden-sharing, military planning, and the future role of the United States within NATO.
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