The United States Government is set to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany within next six to twelve months, the Pentagon announced Friday.
This move fulfills a long-standing threat by US President, Donald Trump, who has recently clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S. war with Iran.
The decision follows a comprehensive review of the Department of Defense’s force posture in Europe, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
He stated that the withdrawal
recognizes “theater requirements and conditions on the ground”.
Germany currently hosts a significant U.S. military presence, including the headquarters for its European and Africa commands, Ramstein Air Base, and a medical center in Landstuhl.
U.S. nuclear missiles are also stationed in the country. The planned withdrawal represents about 14% of the 36,000 American service members stationed in Germany.
The announcement has been met with strong opposition from Democrats in Congress and defense think tanks.
Critics argue that the withdrawal could benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine U.S. security interests.
Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a
ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concern that the move suggests “American commitments to our allies are dependent on the president’s mood”.
Bradley Bowman, a scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, emphasized that US military presence in Germany and across Europe is crucial for deterring Russian aggression and projecting American military power into the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa.
President Trump had previously threatened a similar withdrawal during his first term, proposing to pull 9,500 troops from Germany.
However, that process was not initiated and was formally halted by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2021. Trump has consistently voiced his desire to reduce the American military footprint in Germany and has criticized NATO for its perceived lack of support in the war with Iran.
Recent tensions escalated after Chancellor Merz criticized the U.S. approach to the war with Iran, stating that the U.S. was being “humiliated” and lacked a clear strategy.
Trump responded on social media, suggesting Merz should focus on “ending the war with Russia/Ukraine” and “fixing his broken Country” rather than commenting on Iran.
NATO allies have been anticipating a potential U.S. troop withdrawal since Trump took office, with Washington signaling that Europe would need to take greater responsibility for its own security, including that of Ukraine.
AP News
