Pivot of US military to Europe by 2018 is a long time coming article The US military will shift its focus from the Pacific to Europe as part of its long-term defense strategy, a Pentagon official said Tuesday.
The shift in strategy is part of the United States military’s “long-term commitment to Europe,” said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
“The US military is focused on ensuring that we can defend our allies and partners, and our homeland and our region,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military strategy.US forces have been conducting patrols and exercises in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea since 2016, to reassure allies and neighbors, including Germany and Italy, that the US was ready to defend them.
But the new strategy is designed to reassure Europe, the official added.
A number of countries in Europe are worried that US forces are poised to move into their territory.
The move to European soil comes as the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union.
Britain has said it wants to remain in the European single market but wants the EU to guarantee free movement for EU citizens and to ensure the right of non-EU citizens to work in the bloc.
