NATO Commander Joins Pentagon Briefing on US Troop Review in Europe

NATO's top commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, took part in a virtual briefing on Friday for Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby on possible approaches to a review of American troop deployments in Europe.

Grynkewich joined the meeting in his capacity as head of US European Command. A NATO spokesperson said the alliance is continuing to strengthen and transition to what it describes as "NATO 3.0", while Europe takes on more and more responsibility for its own defence.

The review was announced in June by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said it would run for up to six months and would include consultations with Congress. Lawmakers have legislated a minimum number of US forces in Europe.

A document seen by the wire indicates the review will produce at least four sets of options for Hegseth, with Friday's briefing helping to shape the possibilities under consideration.

Hegseth has not said explicitly that the review could lead to cuts in the roughly 80,000 US troops currently deployed to Europe. He has stressed that the aim is to push the continent to do more while ensuring the US military can still meet its global commitments.

He has also criticised allies who did not support the United States during the Iran war, after some refused Washington basing and overflight rights for war-related activities. Hegseth said the review would ensure such rights are assured.

In June, he told defence ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels that he could withhold some US dues to the alliance if allies he described as "free riding" did not meet their defence spending commitments.