NATO

US force posture on the agenda for high-level NATO talks in Europe

By 

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • February 9, 2026

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NATO foreign ministers meet at alliance headquarters in Brussels on Dec. 3, 2025. The Defense Department’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, will be on hand this week to inform allies about future U.S. military plans in Europe. (NATO)

STUTTGART, Germany — The Pentagon’s top strategist is headed to NATO headquarters later this week where he will inform allies about future U.S. military plans in Europe, the top American official at NATO said Monday.

Defense Department policy chief Elbridge Colby will attend the alliance’s ministerial Thursday in lieu of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is skipping the event.

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