US Lawmakers Oppose Potential Troop Reduction in Europe Amidst Russian Aggression Concerns

Lawmakers are voicing their opposition to potential reductions in the U.S. military presence in Europe, amidst ongoing concerns about Russian aggression. The Defense Department is reportedly considering removing up to 10,000 troops from Eastern Europe as part of cost-cutting measures and a strategic realignment towards the Indo-Pacific region. This proposal has prompted members of the House Armed Services Committee to urge the administration to reconsider. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. deployed approximately 20,000 additional service members to Europe, bringing the total number of U.S. troops on the continent to around 80,000. The Pentagon is now contemplating withdrawing a significant portion of these reinforcements from Romania and Poland. Katherine Thompson, who is performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, has clarified that no final decisions have been made regarding troop levels and that the U.S. would not relinquish its role as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. troops in Europe and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has recommended maintaining the current American military footprint in Europe. The debate over troop levels reflects ongoing discussions about burden-sharing within NATO and the balance of U.S. strategic priorities.