'Ovo sad postaje ozbiljno': Amerika priprema veliko povlačenje iz Europe

The United States is preparing one of its largest military realignments in recent years, shifting focus away from Europe toward other strategic regions. According to reports from multiple European media outlets, the U.S. Department of Defense is finalizing plans to reduce its troop presence in Europe as part of a broader review of military posture known as the “Force Posture Review.” This move comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of American military commitments abroad and a shift in strategic priorities under President Donald Trump’s administration. Initial signals from Washington suggest that European allies will need to take on significantly greater responsibility for their own defense. While final decisions have yet to be made, there is increasing evidence that portions of U.S. troops and key military equipment will be relocated from Europe to areas deemed more critical, particularly the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East. The decision reflects a broader reassessment of America’s global security strategy, with a clear emphasis on countering China and addressing emerging threats elsewhere. Spain appears to be among the countries most affected by this potential withdrawal. Reports indicate that Washington is considering the removal of approximately 2,000 American soldiers from Spanish bases, which would mean more than half of the U.S. military contingent in Spain would depart. This proposed action reportedly follows Spain’s refusal to allow the use of shared bases near Rota and Morón for U.S. strikes against Iran. Although the U.S. government has not officially confirmed these plans, the information suggests a deliberate effort to hold Spain accountable for its stance during the ongoing tensions with Tehran. The U.S. military’s strategic focus is increasingly turning eastward, with officials in Washington openly acknowledging that Europe is no longer the top priority. A senior Pentagon official, Elbridge Colby, recently stated that European nations will soon need to assume primary responsibility for their conventional defenses. This shift underscores a fundamental change in how the United States views its role in collective security, moving away from direct involvement toward a model that relies more heavily on allied contributions. European leaders, including the head of the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, have warned that member states can no longer rely on the assumption that increased defense spending alone will maintain the level of protection previously offered by the U.S. She emphasized that the current situation, marked by rising tensions with Iran and growing competition with China, has fundamentally altered the nature of American strategic priorities. Another factor driving the changes is the depletion of U.S. stockpiles of defensive weapons. According to analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), U.S. inventory levels of Patriot missiles have dropped by around 65 percent since the start of hostilities with Iran, while THAAD missile stocks have fallen by nearly 40 percent. Experts warn that restoring production to previous levels could take several years, and the U.S. defense industry may struggle to meet the demands of both domestic forces, Ukraine, and European allies simultaneously. In Brussels, NATO officials are working to reassure allies that the U.S. is not withdrawing from Europe but rather adjusting its military footprint in response to evolving global challenges. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has highlighted that President Trump’s policies are actually strengthening the alliance by pushing European members to increase their defense budgets. Within NATO, there is a consensus that some U.S. forces will be reallocated due to new global priorities, especially in the Indo-Pacific, where Washington views China as the foremost long-term security challenge. However, not all within the U.S. Congress support this approach. Republican lawmakers, including Senate Armed Services Committee chairmen Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, have expressed concern that rapid withdrawals could weaken deterrence against Russia and embolden Vladimir Putin. Their warnings highlight the political risks associated with such a dramatic shift in military deployment. Germany, unlike Spain, is likely to be less directly impacted by the planned reductions. The U.S. base at Ramstein continues to play a crucial role in operations across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, serving as a central logistics hub for U.S. airpower. As of late last year, over 36,000 American troops were stationed in Germany, representing more than half of all permanently deployed U.S. forces in Europe. However, it has been confirmed that roughly 5,000 troops will leave the country, including armored units and personnel responsible for managing long-range missile systems. In response, Berlin is accelerating efforts to replenish its arsenal by purchasing additional Tomahawk missiles and advancing work on related weapon development projects.