NATO faces internal debate as US pushes to end out-of-srea missions

The United States under President Donald Trump is pressing NATO allies to significantly reduce the alliance’s global activities and refocus it on core collective defence tasks, according to diplomats familiar with internal discussions, as per foreign media reports.

Washington’s initiative — informally described within NATO as a “return to factory settings” — aims to scale back operations beyond the Euro-Atlantic region, including ending the alliance’s advisory mission in Iraq, reducing the NATO-led peacekeeping presence in Kosovo, and limiting participation of partner countries at the alliance’s July summit in Ankara.

US officials argue that NATO should prioritise deterrence and territorial defence rather than crisis management missions and global partnerships developed over recent decades. Deputy Pentagon chief Elbridge Colby outlined the concept, sometimes referred to as “NATO 3.0,” emphasising that European allies must strengthen their ability to defend the continent while Washington concentrates on core security interests.

The United States has asked allies to consider ending NATO’s training and advisory mission in Iraq — created in 2018 to strengthen Iraqi security institutions and prevent the return of the Islamic State group — potentially as early as September. The proposal coincides with plans to withdraw about 2,500 US troops from Iraq under a bilateral agreement with Baghdad.

While some allies accept that the mission could eventually be reduced, many favour a slower transition and retaining a smaller presence, warning that a simultaneous NATO and US withdrawal could destabilise parts of the country and empower armed militias.

Washington has also signalled interest in winding down the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), a UN-mandated peacekeeping mission established in 1999 that currently includes roughly 4,500 troops. European diplomats and regional experts warn that the operation remains vital for stability in the Western Balkans, arguing that a premature drawdown could heighten tensions and encourage unrest.

NATO officials stress that no final decisions have been taken and that all 32 member states must approve any change to alliance missions.

In parallel, the US has urged allies not to grant formal participation at the Ankara summit to Ukraine or NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners — Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea — though they could still attend side events. Diplomats say the move reflects a broader effort to narrow NATO’s agenda to traditional alliance issues.

Plans to cancel this year’s NATO Public Forum — a high-profile outreach event — and replace it with a smaller defense-industry gathering have also raised concerns among some allies, who fear reduced public diplomacy at a time when NATO is seeking broader support for higher defense spending.

The proposed changes have triggered pushback within the alliance, with several diplomats arguing that overseas partnerships and crisis-management missions strengthen deterrence rather than weaken it. Critics warn that scaling back NATO’s global engagement could strain relations with partners and reduce the alliance’s political influence, even as Washington insists it remains committed to European security.

For now, discussions remain ongoing, highlighting growing debate inside NATO over its future role and strategic direction.

By Tamilla Hasanova