NATO has warned the U.S. that it lacks the forces to defend Israel
The Commander of NATO’s Allied Forces in Europe, U.S. General Alexus Grinkevich, warned the Pentagon that U.S. forces may not have sufficient capacity to defend Israel against Iranian ballistic missiles. According to him, without an additional destroyer, priorities will have to be set, specifically to strengthen the defense of the U.S. itself.
The Commander of NATO’s Allied Forces in Europe, U.S. General Alexus Grinkevich, informed the Pentagon of a shortage of forces to defend Israel against Iranian strikes. According to the publication, Grinkevich sent a written notice to Pentagon leadership. In it, the general warned that without an additional U.S. destroyer, he would have to determine which areas of defense are priorities.
Specifically, this refers to the defense of the “homeland” of the United States. Under such a scenario, the U.S. military’s ability to defend Israel could be limited.
Why Does the U.S. Need Destroyers Near Israel?
U.S. destroyers have been deployed in the eastern Mediterranean for many years to support Israel’s missile defense. These ships are equipped with powerful radars and air defense systems. They can intercept ballistic missiles launched by Iran, as well as missiles fired by the Yemeni Houthis.
However, the U.S. Navy has recently been operating under significant strain. As The Washington Post notes, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the blocking of Iranian ports after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, some U.S. ships have been deployed to operations around Iran.
How many U.S. destroyers are currently in the region?
According to The Washington Post’s tally, as of July 31, there were two U.S. destroyers in the Mediterranean Sea. Three more ships were stationed at the U.S. base in Rota, Spain.
At the same time, a significantly larger number of U.S. destroyers are engaged in operations in other areas. Eleven destroyers were in the Arabian Sea, where they are participating in the naval blockade of Iran.
Another U.S. destroyer is operating in the Red Sea and countering the Yemeni Houthis. Thus, the U.S. Navy is engaged simultaneously in several key theaters. This places an additional strain on U.S. military forces.
CSIS explained the nature of the problem
Grinkevich’s warning illustrates just how complex the situation has become for the Pentagon, according to Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
He highlighted not only the number of ships but also the state of U.S. military stockpiles and combat readiness. “Being on a war footing affects combat readiness and ammunition stockpile levels,” Karako said.
According to The Washington Post, the current situation shows that the U.S. military is forced to simultaneously cover multiple defense fronts and support allies in the region. That is precisely why General Grinkevich drew the Pentagon’s attention to the need for additional forces to defend Israel. The Washington Post reports this, citing informed sources.
The Pentagon plans to step down from its leadership role in the Security Assistance Group for Ukraine (SAG-U), which coordinates arms deliveries and the training of Ukrainian military personnel. Going forward, the group will be led by another NATO country, though its name has not yet been disclosed.
