The Pentagon's senior policy official told NATO ambassadors in Brussels that the alliance must adapt as Washington examines the future of United States forces in Europe. Elbridge Colby framed the process as a way to enable a more European-led defense of the continent rather than as a simple review of individual deployments.
The United States announced the six-month assessment in June. NATO governments have since received a questionnaire covering defense spending, military strategy, procurement and their support for broader American foreign-policy priorities, placing national capabilities and political alignment inside the same consultation.
The review is expected to produce at least four sets of options for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by November 6. That internal milestone comes before the process reaches its scheduled completion in December and leaves the eventual mix of forces, bases and strategic adjustments unresolved.
Colby said the exercise concerns the wider American strategic posture, not only locations and installations. He presented its central objective as a transition toward a more durable and powerful European-led conventional defense, while arguing that NATO must change if it is to remain effective.
The policy chief also described Europe as critical to United States interests and praised progress already made within the alliance. He emphasized that consultation with allies is part of the review and invited governments to present their own assessments before the Pentagon develops its recommendations.
Diplomats characterized the Brussels exchange as positive but preliminary. One allied representative saw evidence that contributions to the transfer of responsibility were already under way, while a European diplomat said the meeting mainly tested positions and produced a clear message that Europe is stepping up.
The discussion therefore opened a bargaining phase rather than announcing a troop decision. European allies accepted the direction of greater responsibility but stressed that unity remains the foundation of NATO's strength, making the design of any burden shift as important as its scale.
