Shaheen urges State Dept. input on US troop review in Europe

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.