US to Scale Back NATO Footprint as Europe Takes on Greater Defense Role
The United States plans to gradually reduce its commitments of strategic bombers, fighter jets, drones, submarines and warships to NATO, with no firm timeline, as Washington shifts focus toward the Indo-Pacific and pressures Europe to bolster its own defense. The move, discussed in a closed NATO meeting, hinges on allies filling gaps and coordinating with the US; it does not change U.S. nuclear deterrence, and further details are expected at NATO’s Force Generation conference.