One Big Thing: Does removing U.S. troops from Germany cause a strain in US-German relations?
Join us and take our poll
What is it?
On July 29th, President Trump decided to withdraw 12,000 troops in Germany because the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) did not meet defense spending.
The move was made because the Trump Administration wants its European NATO partners to spend more money on defense to match the United States’ contribution.
Under this plan, U.S. troops will start leaving Germany to move to other areas including Poland.
Why is it important?
This decision has received significant backlash from both parties and the international community who believe that this new change will put strain on our transatlantic alliances and partnerships.
Removing troops is an attempt to send a signal to our NATO allies to increase their defense spending but it will ultimately affect other parts of the world like AFRICOM, who is headquartered out of Germany.
What can you do?
Check out the bipartisan congressional response to the troop removal
Unfortunately the attitude and actions of the trump administration has diminished the influence of, and admiration for, the USA worldwide. Becoming more isolated in the world, rather than cementing relations with former allies, can only be a bad thing in my opinion.
Trump is using blackmail and threats. Removing our troops from Germany is a ploy to "punish" the Germans, especially Angela Merkel, whom Trump dislikes for no valid reason. It also exposes Germany to military action by Russia; of sort of gift to Putin, whom Trump believes is his big buddy.
Fortunately, Poland is just beside Germany. Otherwise, the impact on US allies will be too great! Trump has to wake to the reality that he needs the allies to "contain" authoritarian countries like Cambodia, China, Turkey and Venezuela. Any harm done to his allies is like shooting himself on his own foot!
If the european countries can't match our contribution in the form of money and soldiers to NATO, which was formed to protect them from hostile take over by a foreign power. Then why should we send our young people and money over there to protect them. It's time that all of the european countries ponied up their share or learned to speak Russian.
Some deal-maker! He doesn't appear to know anything about history, and not just American history. He also doesn't understand our Constitution. I don't believe he's ever read it. Our presence in Germany has always been a stabilizer and protector, especially against Russia. He's ruining our global relationships, again, because he doesn't know the history of it.
The 2nd largest airbase that the military operates outside of the United States is in Germany. Also, it holds a key geographic position in Eastern Europe that we need to work with Germany to operate into Africa and the Middle East!
"The only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without them." -Winston Churchill
Moving our troops out of Germany is not necessarily a bad thing. If it's done as a stick to punish Germany, then yes it's a bad thing. However, if the troops are strategically moved to Poland or other countries closer to our enemy, Russia, then it is a good thing because it helps mitigate the threat to a country and despot who has shown little regard for International norms or borders.
Trump has already endangered our international relations, but withdrawing from the Paris Accord, and his behavior concerning China. This is just one more wedge. NOT all right.
This means that the USA is leaving the OTAN which is regrettable after what happened during the II World War. And the question of WHY Trump is so worried about the money the Country is spending in avoiding another war as he believes he is a master in managing money that is not his.
A tortuous mind in the White House , will create a counter productive situation in Europe . Regardless of whether the American troop deployment in Germany remains the same or not !
It is important that we not ruin any further our international relations. Our president is dangerous to our country and other nations. It makes for a scary environment.
Taking our troops out of Germany is Putins win win.
It's what he has wanted all along, destabilize the western countries, break up the EU and own tRump. We MUST vote tRump out in November by an overwhelming majority.
I feel we have made the people of our world wonder about our compassion and justice abilities and so before moving quickly and without consideration of the power to negotiate if we withdraw. We say we don't care about you and your rights. We need to be pro-active instead of reactive with our neighbors across the world.
DO NOT TEAR DOWN THE GOOD WALLS OF DEFENSE-NATO- ONLY NUTSOS STUPID BORDER WALL.
Unfortunately the attitude and actions of the trump administration has diminished the influence of, and admiration for, the USA worldwide. Becoming more isolated in the world, rather than cementing relations with former allies, can only be a bad thing in my opinion.
It is a matter of strategic location to have our troops there. I feel that Trump would want them gone merely to please PUTIN!
Less military madness is a good thing! END ALL WARS! CLOSE OVERSEAS MILITARY BASES! STOP BEING THE EVIL EMPIRE OF GREED!
Trump is using blackmail and threats. Removing our troops from Germany is a ploy to "punish" the Germans, especially Angela Merkel, whom Trump dislikes for no valid reason. It also exposes Germany to military action by Russia; of sort of gift to Putin, whom Trump believes is his big buddy.
Fortunately, Poland is just beside Germany. Otherwise, the impact on US allies will be too great! Trump has to wake to the reality that he needs the allies to "contain" authoritarian countries like Cambodia, China, Turkey and Venezuela. Any harm done to his allies is like shooting himself on his own foot!
If the european countries can't match our contribution in the form of money and soldiers to NATO, which was formed to protect them from hostile take over by a foreign power. Then why should we send our young people and money over there to protect them. It's time that all of the european countries ponied up their share or learned to speak Russian.
Shouldn’t cause any strain they are our troops.
Some deal-maker! He doesn't appear to know anything about history, and not just American history. He also doesn't understand our Constitution. I don't believe he's ever read it. Our presence in Germany has always been a stabilizer and protector, especially against Russia. He's ruining our global relationships, again, because he doesn't know the history of it.
The 2nd largest airbase that the military operates outside of the United States is in Germany. Also, it holds a key geographic position in Eastern Europe that we need to work with Germany to operate into Africa and the Middle East!
"The only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without them." -Winston Churchill Moving our troops out of Germany is not necessarily a bad thing. If it's done as a stick to punish Germany, then yes it's a bad thing. However, if the troops are strategically moved to Poland or other countries closer to our enemy, Russia, then it is a good thing because it helps mitigate the threat to a country and despot who has shown little regard for International norms or borders.
Germany knows how to take care of itself. Germany is self-sufficient militarily and technologically.
We need to stop Imperialism of US around the world. Peace!
Trump has already endangered our international relations, but withdrawing from the Paris Accord, and his behavior concerning China. This is just one more wedge. NOT all right.
This continues a pattern of action by Trump that benefit Russia and destabilize NATO positions. You have to wonder shy?
This means that the USA is leaving the OTAN which is regrettable after what happened during the II World War. And the question of WHY Trump is so worried about the money the Country is spending in avoiding another war as he believes he is a master in managing money that is not his.
NONE AT THIS TIME
A tortuous mind in the White House , will create a counter productive situation in Europe . Regardless of whether the American troop deployment in Germany remains the same or not !
It is important that we not ruin any further our international relations. Our president is dangerous to our country and other nations. It makes for a scary environment.
Fortunately, Poland is just next to Germany. The US should understand that Europe and Pacific regions provide it with the hegemony that it needs.
It's a page right out of Vladimir Putin play book: His goal has been to weaken NATO and Trump is helping him achieve his goal.
Taking our troops out of Germany is Putins win win. It's what he has wanted all along, destabilize the western countries, break up the EU and own tRump. We MUST vote tRump out in November by an overwhelming majority.
Every nation in NATO should pay their share - for too long America has been covering for many....
I feel we have made the people of our world wonder about our compassion and justice abilities and so before moving quickly and without consideration of the power to negotiate if we withdraw. We say we don't care about you and your rights. We need to be pro-active instead of reactive with our neighbors across the world.
Not only does it damage US-Germany alliance, it gives Putin his lifelong dream