U.S. Senate leader urges involvement of diplomats in European military review

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats, has requested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio ensure U.S. diplomats are involved in a Pentagon-led review of the American military presence in Europe. The review, which began in June and is expected to conclude by year-end, is part of a Trump administration initiative aimed at encouraging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense.

Concerns have been raised regarding the potential withdrawal of approximately 25,000 soldiers from Europe, out of the roughly 80,000 currently stationed there. Shaheen noted that U.S. ambassadors and mission chiefs in potentially affected countries have reportedly been excluded from consultations. A State Department official denied these claims, stating that diplomats and ambassadors remain in regular contact with their counterparts.