NY Times Reports The U-S Is In 'Retreat' Mode

The New York Times and other outlets have reported U.S. military adjustments in Europe in 2025 and 2026. A Times analysis published Wednesday framed some moves as a forced retreat tied to the war with Iran.

David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt wrote that strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 limited rather than expanded American reach. Middle East bases have been closed or restricted, and use of at least one British base curtailed. Bombers must now fly from the continental United States, and carriers outside the Persian Gulf require more distant support, including from Diego Garcia.

The immediate case was the weekend withdrawal of 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford. The Pentagon and White House called it a precaution after a threat. President Donald Trump linked it to Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Pentagon is “constantly reallocating resources where they need to be.” British authorities had investigated suspicious activity near the base in late September. Downing Street said the base was safe.

Earlier changes included not replacing about 700 troops from a 101st Airborne rotation in Germany, Romania and Poland in late 2025. On May 1, 2026, the Pentagon said it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over six to 12 months and cancel a planned long-range artillery unit, returning levels toward the 2022 baseline. Reporting linked the timing to Trump’s irritation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Senior Republicans criticized the move.

In June, the Times reported plans to cut fighters available for NATO from roughly 150 to 100, reduce reconnaissance aircraft and tankers, and reallocate a submarine, carrier and bomber group toward the Indo-Pacific.

A review ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aims at European allies leading conventional defense. Reports of cuts of up to 40,000 of the roughly 80,000 U.S. troops in Europe were denied as unfinalized. Officials call the shifts burden-sharing, not retreat. Critics say they risk signaling weaker commitment while the Ukraine war continues.