Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 21: The United States is set to reduce the number of its personnel deployed at several key NATO command centres, a move that is expected to raise fresh concerns in Europe over Washington’s long-term commitment to the alliance, sources familiar with the matter have said.
According to the sources, the Trump administration has conveyed to some European capitals its decision to cut around 200 US positions from NATO entities involved in planning and overseeing the alliance’s military and intelligence operations. The sources requested anonymity as the discussions were diplomatic in nature.
Among the NATO bodies likely to be affected are the UK-based NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, the Allied Special Operations Forces Command in Brussels, and Portugal-based STRIKFORNATO, which oversees certain maritime operations. Several other NATO entities are also expected to see a reduction in US staffing.
While the exact reasons for the move have not been disclosed, it broadly aligns with the Trump administration’s stated policy of shifting greater military and strategic focus towards the Western Hemisphere. Officials noted that the cuts are relatively limited when compared to the overall US military presence in Europe, where around 80,000 American personnel are currently stationed, nearly half of them in Germany.
Despite the limited scale, the decision is likely to heighten anxiety among European allies, particularly at a time when the alliance is already under strain. Concerns have been fuelled by US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland from Denmark, raising unprecedented questions about territorial disputes within NATO.
On Tuesday, ahead of his trip to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, President Trump shared a social media post describing NATO as a threat to the United States, while portraying China and Russia as exaggerated adversaries. The remarks added to unease across European capitals.
Responding to queries, a NATO official said changes in US staffing levels are not unusual and stressed that the US military presence in Europe remains larger than it has been in recent years. “NATO and US authorities remain in close contact to ensure the alliance retains its strong capacity to deter and defend,” the official said.
The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.
Sources indicated that around 400 US personnel are currently stationed across the NATO entities affected by the decision, meaning the proposed cuts would reduce the American presence in those units by roughly half. Rather than recalling personnel immediately, the US is expected to leave most positions vacant as officers and staff rotate out.
The drawdown comes at a sensitive time for the alliance, which is navigating one of the most challenging phases in its 77-year history. During his first term, President Trump had threatened to withdraw from NATO and warned that the US might not defend members failing to meet defence spending commitments.
Although he struck a more conciliatory tone in mid-2025 after NATO members agreed to boost defence spending, recent developments have again unsettled European allies. In December, Pentagon officials reportedly told diplomats that the US expects Europe to take primary responsibility for most of NATO’s conventional defence capabilities by 2027 — a timeline many European officials view as unrealistic.
Adding to tensions, President Trump has revived his long-standing campaign to acquire Greenland in early 2026 and has threatened to impose tariffs on several NATO countries over their support for Denmark’s sovereignty, prompting the European Union to consider possible retaliatory measures.
While the immediate military impact of the personnel cuts remains unclear, observers say the symbolic message could have far-reaching implications for alliance unity and trust.