Berlin: The U.S. will reduce its military presence in Europe. U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to further reduce the number of American troops in Germany by 5,000 has brought the role of the United States in Europe back into the spotlight.
According to Thai News Agency, the deployment of American troops in Europe is a legacy from the end of World War II, when the US deployed forces to control the area, support the Marshall Plan to revive Europe's devastated economy, and prevent a power vacuum that could lead to another war. More recently, the US has increased its focus on the Arctic to counter Russia and China, with the revival of the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska, expanding military base cooperation with Norway and Finland, and reinforcing forces in the Middle East and Africa to combat terrorism and deal with proxy nations like Iran.
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Defense, or Pentagon, announced plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany within the next 6-12 months. The following day, Trump confirmed that this initial withdrawal of 5,000 troops was only the beginning and that further significant troop reductions in Germany would follow. This comes amidst escalating tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who criticized U.S. strategy in Iran, stating that the U.S. was being humiliated by Iranian leaders and lacked a clear strategy for negotiating with Iran - comments Trump deemed unconstructive.
Typically, the United States maintains a troop deployment in Europe of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 personnel. Its main bases are in Germany, with around 36,000 troops stationed there, housing the headquarters of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the African Command (AFRICOM), as well as Ramstein Air Base, its largest logistical hub. This is followed by Italy, with approximately 12,000 American troops focused on naval and air missions in the Mediterranean, and the United Kingdom, with around 10,000 troops.
The Pentagon's plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany remains unclear, but it is believed to include the cancellation of the planned deployment of the Long-Range Fires Battalion to Germany later this year, and the relocation of Patriot air defense systems and ammunition depots from Germany to support operations in the Middle East instead. Meanwhile, NATO allies, including Germany, have anticipated for over a year that the American troops deployed to reinforce the country after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago would be the first to be withdrawn.
Europe is not just a shield against threats, but a key "Global Power Projection Hub" for the United States in the 21st century. General Alexis Grinkevich, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, revealed to the Senate Armed Forces Committee in March that Europe is strategically located for faster logistical support to Africa and the Middle East than directly from the U.S. mainland. Furthermore, it possesses state-of-the-art communications and satellite infrastructure, which the U.S. utilizes for drone operations and intelligence sharing, and which significantly contributed to the recent U.S. military operation in Iran.
Germany is considered one of the most strategically important locations for the U.S. military in Europe, as it houses the headquarters of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and the African Command (AFRICOM), both located in Stuttgart. Ramstein Air Base is the largest U.S. air base outside the country and serves as a major logistics hub for operations in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Similarly, the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) is the largest U.S. military hospital outside the United States, having previously received and treated soldiers wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before repatriating them for further treatment in the U.S.
According to a recent report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), the United States holds approximately 100 B-61 gravity bombs deployed in Europe under NATO's nuclear sharing agreements. Of these, about 20 are stationed at Bchel Air Base in Germany for use by German fighter jets in the event of a serious conflict.
Senator Roger Vickers, chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, and Representative Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Forces Committee, issued a joint statement on Sunday expressing grave concern over the Pentagon's decision. They stated that the premature withdrawal of troops, before European allies can fully build their own defensive capabilities, risks undermining deterrence and sends the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both the senator and the representative also proposed moving these 5,000 troops to Eastern Europe to maintain a strong deterrent against Russia, arguing that European allies have already invested heavily in having American troops stationed in their countries, and a sudden withdrawal would therefore be incorrect.
However, on this issue, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that there had been no indication or notification from the United States that US troops withdrawing from Germany would be reassigned to Poland or other NATO eastern fronts, instead of being sent back to America. He also expressed concern about the potential for internal disunity within the NATO alliance, viewing it as a more serious threat than external enemies.
The Trump administration's 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) represents one of the most significant shifts in modern security policy, clearly demonstrating a "DIY Defense" vision in Europe and other current U.S. goals. The U.S. is shifting its role in Europe from "primary protector" to "advanced supporter," maintaining its nuclear umbrella and advanced technology, but expecting Europe to be responsible for its own traditional military defense-including tanks, fighter jets, artillery, and infantry-against Russia.
The United States will focus on homeland defense, including border security, using military power in the Western Hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine) to combat drug cartels and foreign influence, and deterring China, particularly in the First Island Chain, viewing China as its most significant strategic rival, and thwarting Iran's nuclear program, which is considered the primary threat in the Middle East.
This defense strategy also points out that Germany's economy alone is significantly larger than Russia's, reflecting the reality that, despite Russia's military might, its economic foundation lags behind many European powers. It also refers to efforts to push NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, higher than the previously set threshold of 2%.
Germany has been anticipating US moves for some time, prompting the government to prepare and adapt. This marks a significant shift in Germany's security and military policy, known as the "Bundeswehr," which had been largely neglected but has gained increased importance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This year, Germany has increased its budget by over £100 billion, allocated to major projects including: purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the US to test the existing Tornado squadron and Chinook transport helicopters; acquiring and upgrading Puma armored infantry vehicles, as well as large quantities of artillery and ammunition to replace those sent to Ukraine; building new corvettes and submarines; enhancing maritime surveillance capabilities; and upgrading basic military equipment such as armor, digital radio communications, and night vision devices, which had been largely overlooked.
Last year, M¶rz's government announced an increase in the armed forces from 180,000 to 260,000 to urgently strengthen the military in the current security climate. This figure of 260,000 brings it closer to the more than 300,000 personnel seen in 2001, when conscription was still in effect, reflecting Germany's efforts to restore its military capabilities to a level near that of the post-Cold War. Furthermore, Germany aims for a reserve of 200,000 personnel, more than doubling its current number, indicating Berlin's need for a flexible military structure capable of responding immediately to crises, rather than relying solely on its core forces.
Germany has finally had to officially acknowledge that "the era of unwavering dependence on the United States is over," and it's time for European nations to realize they need to be more self-reliant in matters of security. Germany's future efforts will focus on restoring its dignity and rebuilding its bargaining power. If Germany can prove its military is strong enough to be the backbone of Europe, the United States might reconsider its troop withdrawals beyond what it has already done, or at least, Europe will finally have true "military sovereignty."