Trump administration signals major shift in NATO defense strategy. The Pentagon plans to formally notify NATO allies of significant reductions in US military capacity available for European defense, according to Reuters sources. This move aligns with Trump's long-standing position that Europe must shoulder greater responsibility for its own security. The US would maintain its nuclear umbrella for NATO while increasingly relying on European forces for conventional defense. Recent decisions underscore this direction: Washington announced withdrawal of approximately five thousand troops from Europe and canceled a planned US brigade deployment to Poland. These actions have triggered serious concerns among NATO members and US Congress. While European nations have increased military spending recently, officials warn that building a more capable independent European defense will take years.
