(a)
In general— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as defined in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code) a report analyzing the necessity of stationing members of the Armed Forces in Europe, including an evaluation of property owned by the Federal Government in Europe that could be sold if such stationing was reduced or terminated.
(b)
Matters included— The report under subsection (a) shall consider the following:
(1)
Benefits to the United States from having the Armed Forces present in Europe that would not be achievable elsewhere.
(2)
Direct military threats to the United States that require such a presence and whether such threats could be countered with a smaller presence.
(3)
The ability of European allies to address threats without such presence.
(4)
Ways in which a withdrawal or reduction of members of the Armed Forces stationed in Europe will affect the sustainability of military operations abroad.
(5)
Ways in which such a withdrawal or reduction will affect the ability of the United States to implement a broader national security strategy.
(6)
Any formal treaty obligations or bilateral agreements that require the Armed Forces of the United States to be present in Europe.
(7)
Effectiveness of current force levels in Europe in achieving national security objectives.
(8)
Unique benefits of sustaining each base location in Europe and ways in which reduction of such bases would affect the ability of the United States to sustain military operations abroad.