Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
  • Analysis
    • Policy Papers
    • Symposia
    • Q&A
    • Polls
    • Grand Strategy Explained
    • Target Taiwan
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Grand strategy / Revitalizing the Transatlantic Alliance: Principles for a Balanced NATO
Grand strategy, Europe and Eurasia, NATO

June 30, 2026

Revitalizing the Transatlantic Alliance: Principles for a Balanced NATO

The U.S. should adopt a plan—with the most complete one offered in a landmark force posture study by Jennifer Kavanagh and Dan Caldwell—to scale back its presence in Europe from 80,000 current service members to 20,000 over the next decade. The U.S. should, as has been reported, reverse the 2024 decision by the Biden administration to deploy Tomahawk, SM-6, and other U.S. missiles in Germany. Such deployments should not just be postponed but permanently canceled in order to prioritize dwindling munitions stocks where they are most needed, encourage Europeans to ramp up the development of autonomous capabilities, and avoid feeding into a counterproductive security spiral with Russia.

Read at Quincy Institute

Featuring

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

Dan
Caldwell

Former Public Policy Advisor

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

Op-edNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy

A Predictable Summit Still Offers Action Items for NATO

By Daniel DePetris

July 9, 2026

Op-edUkraine, NATO, Russia, Ukraine‑Russia

Ukraine is front of mind ahead of the NATO summit spectacle

By Daniel DePetris

July 7, 2026

Op-edNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia

Trump’s reaction to NATO leaders’ flattery was entirely predictable

By Daniel DePetris

July 7, 2026

In the mediaEurope and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Ukraine, Russia peace prospects; Trump being optimistic: Lt. Col Daniel Davis | RISING

Featuring Daniel Davis

July 7, 2026

Q&ANATO, Burden sharing, Europe and Eurasia

Washington should retrench and let Europe rearm

By Thomas P. Cavanna

July 6, 2026

Op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Zelensky is in denial about Ukraine’s war hopes

By Jennifer Kavanagh

July 6, 2026

Events on Grand strategy

See All Events
virtualGlobal posture, Grand strategy, Military analysis

Assessing the 2026 NDS: What comes next?

February 9, 2026
virtualEurope and Eurasia, Asia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Alignment with restraint?

February 9, 2026
virtualNATO, Alliances, Burden sharing, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Will it usher in burden shifting?

February 9, 2026

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Experts
  • Papers
  • Symposia
  • Q&A
  • Polls
  • Events
  • Media
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Donate
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.