FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Washington is expected to communicate to European allies that it will significantly reduce the military capabilities that the US would make available to NATO in the event of a major crisis.
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to notify NATO allies this week that the United States will significantly reduce the pool of military capabilities that would be available to support European countries in the event of a major crisis, three sources familiar with the matter said.
Under a framework known as the "NATO Force Model," alliance member countries identify a group of ready forces that could be activated during a conflict or other major crisis, such as a military attack on a NATO member country.
Although the exact composition of these wartime forces is kept a top-secret, the Pentagon has decided to significantly reduce the American commitment, said the sources, who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely about the plans.
President Donald Trump has made it clear that he expects European countries to take primary responsibility for the continent's security, gradually replacing the dominant role of the United States. The message expected to be conveyed to allies this week is seen as a concrete indication that this policy is entering the implementation phase.
However, some elements of the plan remain unclear, including the pace at which the Pentagon intends to transfer crisis responsibilities to European allies. The sources said the Pentagon plans to announce the intention to reduce the commitment at a meeting of defense policy leaders to be held in Brussels on Friday.
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby has publicly stated that the US will continue to use its nuclear arsenal to defend NATO countries, even if European allies take the lead in conventional forces.
The United States is expected to be represented at the meeting by Alex Velez-Green, a close aide to Colby, according to sources. One of the sources added that reviewing the NATO Force Model has become a high priority for Colby's team ahead of the upcoming NATO leaders' summit, which will be held in Turkey in July.
A NATO spokesman referred a request for comment to the United States, while the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Alliance under pressure
The NATO alliance is facing unprecedented tensions, as some European countries express concern that Washington may further retreat from its commitments.
A major shift in the forces the US would deploy in wartime is expected to add to these concerns. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has announced plans to reduce about 5,000 US troops in Europe, including canceling a deployment of a US Army brigade to Poland, a decision that drew strong criticism from US lawmakers.
One of the sources and another person familiar with the matter said that aides on Capitol Hill are aware of the Pentagon's plans and have expressed concerns about narrowing American commitments under the "NATO Force Model."
However, a senior NATO diplomat said there is still confidence that the United States will come to Europe's aid if needed.
Trump and many of his aides have repeatedly criticized European allies for insufficient defense spending and their reliance on the United States for conventional defense. They point out that Washington continues to maintain tens of thousands of troops in Europe.
The US president's ambition to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has further increased transatlantic tensions. Clashes between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have also intensified, as the latter has sharply criticized Trump's approach to war with Iran.
On the other hand, European allies argue that they are rapidly increasing their military capabilities, but emphasize that such a transformation cannot be achieved overnight.
Reporting by Gram Slattery and Jonathan Landay in Washington and Andrew Gray in Brussels; additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington and Lili Bayer in Brussels; editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell./Adapted from "Reuters"
Lini një Përgjigje