The Pentagon has unexpectedly canceled the deployment of an armored brigade in Poland, marking an important move in line with US President Donald Trump’s plan to reduce the US military presence in Europe, the Wall Street Journal reported today, Anadolu reports.

The decision is said to have surprised some military officials. The cancellation came after the Pentagon announced earlier this month that 5,000 US troops would be withdrawn from Germany. The announcement followed Trump’s anger over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the way the White House is handling the US war with Iran.

Trump has said the reductions in Europe will go beyond Germany, telling reporters that Washington is “cutting far more than 5,000 troops” and warning that forces may also be withdrawn from Italy and Spain.

According to the Pentagon, the most targeted The broader plan is for European allies to take greater responsibility for conventional defense, allowing the US to reduce its military role on the continent.

US officials said the cancellation of the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, a unit of more than 4,000 troops, is part of a broader reshaping of America’s military footprint in Europe.

More changes are expected. Although the brigade was scheduled to go to Poland, some of its units may have been stationed elsewhere in Europe. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the Trump administration was considering removing US troops from bases in several European countries that did not support Washington during its war with Iran. However, the move was notable because the Trump administration has maintained close ties to Poland. Trump even suggested earlier this month that some US troops could be moved from Germany to Poland.

Military commanders have already presented proposals on how to implement the 5,000 troop reduction in Germany, and many expected a gradual and orderly review of the US troop presence in Europe.

Instead, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved faster than expected, surprising many in the defense establishment. Some troops and equipment from the “Black Jack” brigade are already on their way when the deployment was canceled.

Source: prizrenpost