By Corey Shiver, Spring 2025 Marcellus Policy Fellow

The transatlantic relationship is at a crossroads. Currently engrossed in the transformative foreign policy of President Donald Trump, the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners are consumed in debate as to how European security should be achieved. This debate on burden-sharing has created tension and uncertainty within the alliance.

This battle is the result of decades of faulty strategy practiced by both sides. The United States has maintained a costly presence in Europe since the end of World War II. The threat of Soviet expansionism quelled any plans for the United States to permanently remove its troops from the region or draw down its commitment to the NATO alliance. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States maintained the status quo of forward deploying thousands of troops and operating military bases in the region.

In the eyes of President Dwight Eisenhower, the United States has failed in its European strategy. Immediately following World War II, President Eisenhower understood that the commitment of the United States military on the European continent was meant to be temporary, to allow European partners to rebuild while enjoying the benefits of American-provided security. This “temporary” deployment of forces has not ended since the end of World War Two; a much more permanent engagement than was originally planned.

The United States, under President Trump, is poised to draw down forces in Europe. Although the exact cost is not publicly known, a summary review of costs related to forward deployed troops in Europe equates to billions of U.S. government dollars. As President Trump continues to seek new ways to save taxpayer dollars and reallocate resources to address the United States’ growing debt problems, he may see American engagement in Europe as a high cost, low return issue. Therefore, it is in the interest of both the United States and NATO-member states to plan for the potential scenario in which the United States reduces its forces in Europe.

One way to ensure that NATO remains strong without significant American contribution is by constructing an extensive framework in which NATO becomes a cohesive military organization internal to Europe. Within this proposed framework, member states would be designated with agreed-upon specializations of one or multiple capabilities, determined based on preexisting strengths and weaknesses. For example, if a country currently possesses a strong missile defense capability, then that country’s military should focus on specializing within that role. Between all members and their specializations, they can cohesively operate in the eventuality of conflict, so long as they continue to ensure compatibility and operational efficiency.