The Donald Trump administration is changing its plans to reduce US military forces in Europe, a change that, according to knowledgeable sources, is one of the main factors behind the growing importance of European bases in support of US military operations in the Middle East, following the continuation of the war with Iran.
The Bloomberg news agency reported on Saturday, November 14, citing several sources familiar with the internal negotiations of the US government, that the reduction of American forces in Europe will likely be much lower than the European allies had previously worried.
European countries had previously expected Washington to withdraw up to 25,000 troops from Europe, but according to the new estimate, the total troop reduction will likely be limited to around 5,000.
According to Bloomberg, on the one hand, this review is related to the increase in defense spending by NATO member states and the acceptance of this process by Washington, and on the other hand, it goes back to the Pentagon's need to maintain its operational capability in the Middle East. The continuation of the war with Iran and the importance of logistical and military routes in Europe for the transfer of troops, equipment and support for regional operations played an important role in the Pentagon's new calculations.
However, the final decision has not yet been made and the final authority regarding how much and how to reduce forces rests with Donald Trump. A Pentagon official also announced that an investigation is underway and no decision has yet been made to announce.
America has a total of about 80,000 military forces stationed in Europe. Germany, which hosts more than 36 thousand American soldiers, is the largest location of this country's forces in Europe and one of the most important American military centers outside this country.