- The US has announced the withdrawal of a Brigade Combat Team from Europe
- Now, American troop numbers on the continent have fallen to 2021 levels
- Yet skilful US diplomacy implies the continued backing of Europe’s stratgeic nuclear architecture
The US Department of War has announced the drawdown of one of four Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) in Europe.
Each of these units contain at least 4,000 troops, which will bring US troop numbers back down to 2021 levels. The uptick was introduced under former President Joe Biden in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The drawdown points to a significant policy shift in Washington under incumbent President Donald Trump, whose administration seek to unburden the American military in Europe and to push the continent to pay for its own defence and security.
In Europe, meanwhile, there has been a significant backlash with governments under pressure to disentangle from the pervasive US defence industry, with a newfound policy for strategic autonomy.
While Trump’s return brought about a scathing tirade in Brussels last year, the latest figures indicate that, excluding the United States’ contribution, Nato defence spending has gradually increased to 2.3% of Europe and Canada’s collective GDP.
Abandoning the Poles
The drawdown is one of many erratic policies the United States has implemented. It has served to weaken the Nato military alliance, depicting the lead contributor as half-hearted in its support of European security.
Most recently, the withdrawal process impacted Poland, one of the largest spenders in the alliance, whose forces expected a BCT to deploy to the country. The silent restructuring is widely reported to have caused consternation in Warsaw, leading to speculation about whether the planned deployment was delayed or cancelled outright.
“This is resulting in a temporary delay of the deployment of US forces to Poland, which is a model US ally,” read the US Government release yesterday (19 May), after several days of silence.
European governments accept the strategic pivot, still convinced the US will continue to keep its remaining troops on the continent.
Senior government officials in Lithuania - which borders Belarus, a Russian client state from which Russia deployed forces to invade Ukraine from the north - are compelled by the US’ assurance.
“Despite the review of US forces in Europe, the U.S…. has assured us that they are not walking from the commitment to Lithuania’s security,” said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas, according to a statement issued on 15 May.
Nuclear umbrella
The US Navy still demonstrates a solid commitment to Europe, announcing the visit of an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine to Gibralter on 11 May.
These undetectable submarines are a major strategic asset designed to guarantee a retaliatory second strike in a nuclear exchange. Revealing the location of these submarines delivers a message undoubtedly heard by adversaries, in this case Russia.
Likewise, the Department of War’s drawdown announcement implies the survival of the US’ nuclear security architecture in Europe. Here, the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs specifies that Trump’s policy will enable Nato allies to take primary responsibility for Europe’s “conventional” defence.
