1、POLICY BRIEF|FEBRUARY 2023STRATEGIC COMPETITION AND BASING IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEEMILY HOLLAND1FOREIGN POLICY AT BROOKINGSExecutive summaryAfter the end of the Cold War,the United States slowly shifted its focus away from guaranteeing European security to countering the rise of China.In the 1
2、990s,the United States steadily reduced the number of U.S.troops stationed in Europe.Russia also withdrew large numbers of troops,retaining only some legacy bases in former Soviet states.However,over the past decade,Russia has modern-ized and expanded its military footprint along NATOs eastern flank
3、.And this effort particularly Moscows incursions in Ukraine both in 2014 and now has revitalized the NATO alliance.In response to Russias increased aggression,the United States and NATO initially set up a tripwire defense of Europe based on rotational forward deployments.Now,with full blown war on t
4、he continent,the United States has once again raised the number of troops deployed in Europe,including small numbers on a permanent basis.Regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine,Russia will likely pose an enduring threat to peace and stability on the European continent.Given this reality,Was
