Key facts
- Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to involve U.S. diplomats in a Pentagon-led review of U.S. military presence in Europe.
- The review, initiated in June, aims to increase European self-reliance in defense.
- Shaheen stated that U.S. ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission have been excluded from consultations.
- The Trump administration has a pattern of excluding State Department personnel from policy debates.
- Shaheen warned that troop level changes could affect bilateral relationships, especially with Baltic allies.
- Approximately 80,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Europe.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a key Democrat, has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure U.S. diplomats are included in a Pentagon-led review concerning America's military presence in Europe. The review, which commenced in June and is slated for completion by year-end, is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to foster greater European self-sufficiency in defense matters.
In a letter shared with Reuters, Shaheen expressed concern that diplomats, including U.S. ambassadors in potentially affected nations, are being sidelined. She noted that the Department of State, traditionally involved in such reviews due to its role in managing bilateral relationships, has been largely excluded. Instead, the Europe force posture review is being managed primarily by the Department of Defense, with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby playing a significant role.
Sources have indicated to Reuters that the Trump administration has a practice of limiting State Department involvement in policy discussions relevant to their portfolios, a strategy some believe allows for quicker decision-making and fewer leaks, while critics argue it leads to decisions made without adequate expert input.
Shaheen emphasized that alterations to troop levels, even those appearing minor from a military perspective, can have substantial repercussions on bilateral relationships. She specifically highlighted the Baltic nations—Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia—as countries with the most to lose, particularly in light of ongoing hybrid actions attributed to Russia along NATO's eastern flank.