The White House is reportedly considering relocating U.S. troops within NATO member states in response to perceived insufficient support during the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran earlier this year. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the plan would withdraw forces from countries like Germany and Spain while bolstering military presence in Poland, Romania, and other Eastern European nations.
This strategic reassessment follows tensions over airspace and base access during February’s strikes, with Spain blocking U.S. aircraft and Italy temporarily restricting operations at a Sicilian base. France permitted base usage only after securing guarantees that planes involved in Iran operations would not land there.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized NATO allies on Wednesday, stating: “It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.” The remarks come ahead of a critical meeting between President Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The proposed troop movements highlight deepening fractures in transatlantic relations during Trump’s second term, exacerbated by February’s controversial decision to initiate military action against Iran. While congressional approval prevents a full NATO withdrawal, the administration continues leveraging military positioning as diplomatic leverage.
