The Pentagon has scrapped plans to send around 4,000 U.S.-based troops to Poland, according to two American officials. The unexpected move has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers and revived debate over U.S. President Donald Trump’s wider plans to reduce U.S. military presence in Europe.
General Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s acting chief of staff, confirmed the decision during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. However, he gave little explanation, saying only that it “made the most sense for that brigade to not do its deployment in theatre.”
Members of Congress from both parties expressed frustration that they were not properly informed or consulted. Democrat Joe Courtney said the move sent a “horrible message” about the U.S. commitment to Europe, warning allies were also closely watching developments.
Republicans and Democrats on the Armed Services Committee, including Mike Rogers and Adam Smith, also criticised the decision. They said Congress had not been given the legally required consultation and demanded clarity from the Pentagon.
Smith noted that U.S. troops and equipment were already being prepared for deployment, describing the last-minute reversal as highly unusual. Rogers warned that Congress could respond strongly if troop levels in Europe were reduced below legally established minimums.
The decision follows earlier announcements that about 5,000 troops would be withdrawn from Germany, as part of a broader reassessment of U.S. military positioning in Europe.
Officials have suggested that changes in Poland may be linked to wider troop rotations across the continent, though this has not been confirmed. One U.S. official said the forces intended for Poland could potentially be drawn from elsewhere in Europe.
Despite criticism, the Pentagon insisted the decision was the result of a “comprehensive, multilayered process” and rejected claims that it was sudden or unplanned.
Spokesperson Joel Valdez said it was incorrect to describe it as a last-minute reversal. However, officials did not provide detailed explanations of the strategic reasoning behind the move.
The U.S. has been reviewing its overall troop presence in Europe, with expectations of a gradual reduction in line with long-standing calls from President Trump for European allies to take greater responsibility for their own defence.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he had received assurances that the decision would not affect Poland’s security or deterrence capabilities, describing it as logistical rather than strategic.
A senior NATO official also played down concerns, saying rotational U.S. forces are not central to alliance defence planning, while stressing that NATO maintains a strong presence on its eastern flank.
The move comes amidst broader tensions between Washington and European allies, including disagreements over the war with Iran and defence spending levels.
Although U.S. lawmakers previously approved limits preventing troop levels in Europe from falling below 76,000, the law allows reductions if the president certifies consultations with NATO and provides security assessments.
At present, there are roughly 85,000 U.S. troops stationed across Europe, though future levels remain under review as part of ongoing strategic adjustments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire ...
Azerbaijan is once again at the centre of global climate diplomacy, hosting World Environment Day 2026 and bringing together international leaders, po...
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations ag...
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environm...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engag...
U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees progress between Israel and Lebanon after talks with Netanyahu, while Hezbollah has rejected a new ceasefire proposal and Israel has ruled out a troop withdrawal.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
The Eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly has concluded in Samarkand, bringing together representatives from 186 countries to set environmental priorities and approve new funding for climate, biodiversity and sustainable development initiatives.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that its Aerospace Force did not strike the Kuwait Airport passenger terminal on Wednesday, and that the destruction was instead caused by a failed U.S. Patriot missile.
Five Azerbaijani citizens have been killed and three others injured following drone attacks on two cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire after U.S.-backed talks in Washington. The deal requires Hezbollah to halt attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon, while both sides will resume direct talks later this month aimed at reaching a broader agreement.
As Armenia heads toward parliamentary elections on 7 June, the country's relationship with Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the defining issues of the campaign, with analysts and international observers highlighting the role of regional politics in shaping voters’ mindsets.
Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, a vote that will shape the country’s political direction for the next five years. Understanding how the electoral system converts votes into parliamentary power is key to following the outcome and its wider regional implications.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
The next time a goal goes in during a Champions League final, fans around the world could watch it from every angle at once — frozen, rotated and replayed in ways that were impossible only a few years ago.
An ageing, poorly insured shadow armada now accounts for around one-sixth of the world's tanker fleet. Hidden by design and fraught with risk, it operates beyond conventional oversight. A maritime law expert explains how it works, who profits, and why much of the world looks the other way.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tchiani in Ankara on Thursday, underscoring Türkiye’s growing engagement with Africa’s Sahel region as geopolitical alliances continue to shift.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment