Enough of Their Own Problems: It’s Time for the U.S. to Shift the Burden of Defending Europe onto the Europeans Themselves — Foreign Affairs

For decades, Washington has tied Europe to itself through NATO, serving as the primary security provider in the region in exchange for European allies recognizing U.S. leadership. However, the time has come to change the U.S.’s role as the first responder.

This information reported according to Foreign Affairs.

The publication argues that the U.S. should begin by withdrawing some of its troops from Europe, shifting the responsibility for maintaining conventional armed forces back to the Europeans. Currently, around 100,000 American troops are stationed in Europe, with the majority in Germany.

The process could start with the withdrawal of 20,000 troops that were deployed by the Biden administration after the onset of the war in Ukraine. Following that, an additional 12,000 troops could be pulled out of Germany—a plan that was approved by Trump but stalled by Biden.

These two steps would send a clear signal: it is time for the strongest European powers to step up their own efforts.

As European politicians contemplate ambitious and costly moves, such as Ukraine’s entry into NATO and possibly entering the war in Ukraine, shifting the responsibility for European security back to the Europeans would temper their desire to pursue reckless policies. Today, the U.S. national debt stands at $35 trillion, with an annual budget deficit of $1.5 trillion. Add to this the political divisions within the country. Given that there are no signs of improving financial conditions or easing domestic pressures, the U.S. authorities need to reassess the nation’s external commitments.