The U.S. European Commander has warned the Pentagon that without additional naval support, prioritizing the defense of Israel may not be feasible, and protecting the U.S. mainland from Russia will take precedence.
According to a report by the Washington Post on August 1, citing anonymous officials, General Alexus Greenkwitz submitted a confidential report to the Pentagon this week stating that there is insufficient naval power to sustain operations defending Israel.
General Greenkwitz cautioned that if no additional naval destroyers are deployed, the focus will inevitably shift from defending Israel to protecting the U.S. homeland.
The primary mission of the U.S. European Command is to deter Russian military expansion. Given that Russia possesses ballistic missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland, the mission to counter the Russian threat is directly linked to homeland defense.
The European Command also plays a crucial role in coordinating U.S. military operations in the Mediterranean region. Currently, U.S. forces are intercepting missiles launched toward Israel by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen.
The Washington Post reported that military leaders typically convey such warnings to the Pentagon when they assess that specific risks in their areas of responsibility have increased. This process usually occurs when demands for limited weapons and personnel conflict among various commands.
Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., told the Washington Post, "General Greenkwitz's warning illustrates the scope of the challenges facing the Pentagon," adding, "Entering a wartime posture will have costs in terms of readiness and ammunition stockpiles."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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