April 27, 2025, 9:03 pm
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For decades, the US has been a major part of NATO’s European security architecture…and for decades, US administrations have often wished they could divert more of those resources to other theatres. Some succeeded, but others found themselves pushing resources back to Europe in response to some new (often Russia related) crisis.
Now the new US administration has made it clear that it wants the focus of US military capabilities to be on deterring the PRC, and for more of the European security role to pass to the European NATO allies.
The question is, to what assets could the US potentially transfer, and how effectively could Europe replace them in the near term?
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Reading and Sourcing (incomplete, to be updated due to very late release):
EUCOM 2025 posture statement to congress
https://www.eucom.mil/about-the-command/2025-posture-statement-to-congress
EUCOM 2024 posture statement to congress
https://www.eucom.mil/document/42803/useucom-gen-cavoli-cpshasc2024pdf
NATO 1,000 Patriot procurement
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/01/nato-signs-off-on-5-5-billion-contract-for-hundreds-of-patriot-missiles/
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/european-nato-members-strike-deal-buy-up-1000-patriot-missiles-2024-01-03/
Poland purchase of second K2 batch from ROK
https://defence-blog.com/poland-to-buy-more-k2-tanks-in-6-2b-deal/
Rubio on U.S. commitment to NATO
https://www.politico.eu/article/rubio-reassures-allies-on-us-commitment-to-nato/
"Keep U.S. Troops in Europe, EUCOM commander says"
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/04/keep-us-troops-europe-eucom-commander-says/404405/
Romania abrams purchase
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/11/09/state-dept-approves-25b-sale-of-abrams-tanks-to-romania/
U.S. Officials object to European push to buy weapons locally
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-officials-object-european-push-buy-weapons-locally-2025-04-02/
European Ground-launched cruise missile effort
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-germany-italy-poland-agree-jointly-develop-long-range-cruise-missiles-2024-07-11/
Reporting on potential SACEUR changes
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/defense-senate-house-republicans-nato
Leo2A8 Orders
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/12/17/lithuania-pushes-leopard-2a8-tank-acquisition-under-new-government/
Netherlands "bringing back the tanks"
https://www.twz.com/land/dutch-decide-to-bring-back-main-battle-tanks
Link 22
https://www.link22.org/about.html
Remarks by President Obama to the Australian Parliament
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/17/remarks-president-obama-australian-parliament
Poland announces military training for all men
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy83r93l208o
Bush adviser warns Europe to spend more on arms (2000)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/07/uselections2000.usa
Hegseth on plans (or lack thereof) to draw-down U.S. presence in Europe for now (Feb 2025)
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/02/11/no-plans-to-draw-down-us-troops-in-europe-for-now-hegseth-says/
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I note that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete examination of the topic and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other any other views and/or decisions.
Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.
Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:01:39 — What Am I Talking About?
00:03:51 — the U.S. Presence in Europe
00:08:41 — the Push for a Pivot
00:13:47 — What Can You Draw Down?
00:18:26 — the European Footprint
00:22:28 — Macro Measures
00:26:22 — Air Force Assets
00:37:22 — the Navy
00:43:44 — Army Assets
00:52:13 — Europe & U.S. – Policy & Strategy
01:00:10 — Channel Update
Content Creator – Perun
