BRUSSELS, Sept 18 (Reuters) - NATO's top commander,USAir Force General Alexus Grynkewich, took part in a virtual briefing on Friday for Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colbyon potential approaches to a review of US troop deployments in Europe.
USDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review in June of America's troop deployments in Europe and threatened to withhold someUSdues to NATO if "free riding" allies did not meet their defence spending commitments.
Grynkewich took part in Friday's meeting in his capacity as head of the US European Command "as Europe continues to take more and more responsibility for its defence, and as the Alliance continues to strengthen and transition to 'NATO 3.0'", a NATO spokesperson said.
A document seen by Reuters showsthe review will create at least four sets of options for Hegseth, with Friday's briefing contributing to shaping the possibilities on the table.
Hegseth told defence ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels in June that thereview would last up to six months and include consultations withCongress, which has legislated a minimum number of USforces in Europe.
While he did not explicitly say the review could result in reductions of the 80,000 UStroops deployed to Europe, he stressed the goal would be to prompt the continent to do more while ensuring the USmilitary would be able to meet its global commitments.
Hegseth also slammed allies who did not support the US during the Iran war, after some denied Washingtonbasing and overflight rights for war-related activities, and said the review would ensure these rights were assured.
(Reporting by Sabine Siebold, editing by Inti Landauro and Alexander Smith)
