US NATO Envoy Whitaker: Europe Troop Review Will Follow 'America First', Allies Denying Base Access to Be 'Re-evaluated'

Speaking at Euronews' Defence & Space Summit in Brussels on September 30 (reported October 1), US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said the Pentagon's Europe force posture review is 'a force posture and basing review' guided by what is 'in the interest of the United States', and that Washington would 're-evaluate' relationships with allies that denied access to bases or airspace during Operation Epic Fury (Spain, Italy, France and the UK initially restricted access). He disputed leaked reports that up to 40,000 US troops could be withdrawn.