00:21The Pentagon is reportedly considering withdrawing at least 25,000 U.S. troops from the continent.
00:27This is happening soon after Canada PM Carney's strong speech in the European Union.
00:33And one option could reportedly take that number as high as 40,000.
00:38That would represent a dramatic reduction from the roughly 80,000 U.S. troops currently
00:44stationed across Europe.
00:45But here's the key point.
00:47No final decision has been made.
00:50The figures come from an NBC News report citing current and former U.S. and Western officials
00:55familiar with the Pentagon's deliberations.
00:58The review is part of a six-month assessment of America's military presence in Europe.
01:03And several major U.S. military deployments could potentially be affected, including forces
01:09in Germany, Italy, and Spain.
01:12The options reportedly cover ground forces, aviation, and naval assets.
01:17Another possibility is to reposition some American forces toward NATO's eastern flank.
01:23That means this may not simply be a question of troops leaving Europe altogether.
01:28Some forces could potentially be moved while the overall U.S. military footprint is reduced.
01:34The Pentagon review was launched in June, when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a
01:39broader examination of U.S. forces and bases across Europe.
01:43And now the review is reaching a critical stage.
01:46General Alexis Grinkiewicz, who leads U.S. European Command and serves as NATO's Supreme
01:52Allied Commander Europe, is expected to provide an initial analysis to Hegseth.
01:57A final recommendation is reportedly expected on November 6, before any proposal is presented
02:03to President Donald Trump.
02:05The possible reduction is also part of a much broader debate inside the Trump administration,
02:09about who should carry the main burden for Europe's conventional defense.
02:14The administration has repeatedly argued that European allies should take greater responsibility
02:20for their own defense, while the United States focuses additional military resources on other
02:26regions.
02:26But the proposal is already raising concerns among some U.S. lawmakers and European governments.
02:32Their concern is that a rapid reduction in American forces could affect NATO's ability to deter Russia.
02:39And there is another issue.
02:41The review itself has reportedly created tensions between parts of the Pentagon and the State
02:46Department.
02:47Reuters reported that Senator Gene Shaheen has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to
02:53ensure U.S. diplomats are fully involved in the review, arguing that ambassadors and other
02:58diplomatic officials should have a role in decisions affecting America's relationships with European
03:03allies.
03:04The State Department has disputed claims that its officials are being excluded.
03:09So, for now, this remains a review, not an announced withdrawal.
03:14But the numbers under consideration are significant, at least 25,000, potentially as many as 40,000,
03:21from a current U.S. military presence of around 80,000 in Europe.
03:25And whatever option is ultimately chosen could reshape how the United States and its NATO allies
03:31divide military responsibilities across the continent.
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