US senators urge Rubio to involve State Department in Europe force posture review

A group of Senate Democrats on Thursday urged Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio to ensure that the State Department is fully involved in a Pentagon-led review of the US military posture in Europe.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the effort along with Senators Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Jacky Rosen and Mark Kelly.

In a letter to Rubio, the senators said decisions about US troop deployments and military posture in Europe should be made through an interagency process that considers both military and diplomatic interests.

“In your capacity as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, we write with urgency to request that you ensure the ongoing Europe Force Posture Review is conducted in close consultation and meaningful partnership with the Department of State ... It is precisely because you hold both roles that we are concerned by reports that the Department of Defense is not adequately consulting with the Department of State on this review," they wrote.

The Pentagon announced the Europe Force Posture Review in June. The review is expected to examine US military deployments and force posture across Europe, with decisions potentially affecting US relationships with NATO allies.

The senators said US ambassadors and chiefs of mission in countries potentially affected by changes have been excluded from consultations.

“We urge you to use your unique standing as both National Security Advisor and Secretary of State to ensure that the Department of State is fully and meaningfully engaged from this point forward in every stage of the Europe Force Posture Review before your role requires you to respond to recommendations with lasting implications for the transatlantic relationship," the senators said.