The The Pentagon “has reduced the total number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) assigned to Europe, from four to three units. This brings their levels in Europe back to the values recorded in 2021”. The decision, we read in the note, “is the result of an exhaustive and multi-level process, focused on the positioning of US forces in Europe. This involves a temporary delay in the deployment of American forces in Poland, a country that represents a model ally for the United States”.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “had discussions today with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz; the Department will remain in close contact with Polish counterparts as the analysis proceeds, also to ensure that the United States maintains a solid military presence in Poland.” Warsaw “has demonstrated that it possesses both the capacity and determination necessary to defend itself autonomously. Other NATO allies should follow the same example. The Department will provide further information at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum”, concludes the note.
The Pentagon will establish the final location of the three brigades and other US forces in Europe “on the basis of further analyzes relating to the strategic and operational requirements of the United States, as well as the ability of the allies themselves to contribute their own forces to the defense of Europe”.
The analysis, we read in a note, aims to “promote President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda” in Europe and other operational theaters, including by incentivising and enabling our NATO allies to assume primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe.
Ft, the EU evaluates Draghi or Merkel as intermediaries with Putin’
The EU is considering the possibility of Angela Merkel or Mario Draghi as intermediaries with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Financial Times writes it. Consensus is growing, the business daily writes, for Europe to nominate its own representative, while the talks on Ukraine led by the United States are stalled.