Nearly half will stay in Europe.
On Wednesday, the military unveiled plans to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany, although nearly half of those forces will be kept in Europe to address tension with Russia.
Last month, President Trump announced his intention to cut about a third of the 36,000-strong American troop contingent in Germany, faulting Berlin for failing to meet NATO’s defense spending target and accusing it of taking advantage of the U.S. on trade.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said some troops would reposition to the Black Sea region and some could temporarily deploy in waves to the Baltic. Others would permanently relocate to Italy, while some would relocate to the United States but would rotate into Europe for temporary deployments without their families. The American military’s European headquarters would relocate from Stuttgart, Germany, to Belgium.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Defense Secretary Esper and the military leaders as they begin withdrawing troops from Germany.
- About the strength of the NATO alliance and the importance of each nation contributing “its fair share” economically and with manpower.
Sources: Reuters, Wall Street Journal
