US Pentagon issues NATO questionnaire amid troop withdrawal plans

The United States Department of Defense has issued a controversial questionnaire to NATO partners as part of an analysis regarding the future of the American military presence in Europe. The survey asks allies to indicate whether they have publicly supported the foreign policy priorities of the Trump administration and whether they support a reformed NATO vision where European members take greater responsibility for their own defense.

While US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated the questions are intended to determine if allies are ‘capable’ rather than testing political loyalty, critics—including former US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith—argue the inquiry moves away from traditional alliance standards.

In a related development regarding military footprint, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. This decision follows public disputes between Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz concerning regional security and the conflict in Iran. The move marks a significant shift in the US military posture in Europe, where approximately 80,000 soldiers are currently stationed across various permanent bases.