Official: US could re-examine military presence in Europe

Russia’s annexation of Crimeacould prompt a review of the U.S. military presence in Europe, which has declinedsteadily since the end of the Cold War, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday.“While we do not seek confrontation with Russia, its actions in Europe and Eurasiamay require the United States to re-examine our force posture in Europe and ourrequirement for future deployments, exercises, and training in the region,” said Derek Chollet, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.About 67,000 U.S. military personnel are currently stationed in Europe, mainly inGermany, but also significantly in Italy and Britain. When the Soviet Union collapsedin late 1991, the total U.S. presence was 285,000.Chollet, testifying before the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee,did not specify what such a re-examination could entail at a time when the Pentagonfaces budget cuts and is seeking to redeploy part of its resources to the Asia-Pacificregion.“Russia’s unlawful military intervention in Ukraine challenges our vision of a Europewhole, free, and at peace,” Chollet said. “It changes Europe’s security landscape. Itcauses instability on NATO’s borders. It is a challenge to the international order.