Trump Pulling Troops from Germany: Favor for Putin or Savvy Military Sense

To Leave Germany for Home, Italy, and Belgium

(Trump Slaps Strong Ally Germany)

This shocking story here and elsewhere with this headline:

“Pentagon to pull 12,000 U.S. troops from Germany following Trump demands – it is slammed as gift to Russia”

A lot details to sort through as the Pentagon is proceeding with Trump's plan to move 12,000 U.S. troops out of Germany – about 6,400 will be brought home, and 5,400 shifted to other countries in Europe (Italy and Belgium). 

Also, such a move like this will cost billions and take years to complete.

It also now has attracted bipartisan congressional opposition, raised concerns among NATO allies, and appears to be fueled at least in part by Trump’s displeasure at Germany's failure to spend more on defense.

The Pentagon said the action was part of its plan to strategically: “reposition U.S. forces in Europe to better counter threats from Russia and China.”

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says we are keeping U.S. troops in Europe to be a guard against Russia.

Trump says nope we are withdrawing troops from Germany not to harm Putin but because Germany is not paying their fair share to have U.S. troops in Europe in NATO.

Now this: Members of the GOP have criticized the troop move as a gift to Russia and a threat to U.S. national security. 

For example, some 22 Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Trump saying a reduced U.S. commitment to Europe’s defense would encourage Russian aggression and opportunism.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said: “The plan outlined by the administration today to remove thousands of U.S. troops from Germany is a grave error. It is a slap in the face at a friend and ally when we should instead be drawing closer in our mutual commitment to deter Russian and Chinese aggression. And it is a gift to Russia coming at a time when we just have learned of its support for the Taliban and reports of bounties on killing American troops. The move may temporarily play well in domestic politics, but its consequences will be lasting and harmful to American interests.”

My 2 cents: Again, Putin has Trump by the short hairs now more than ever as shown by this latest.

I envision this tweet from Trump vis-à-vis Defense Secretary Esper: “Pack your bags and get out: You're fired.”

For Trump sycophants: If you believe anything other than his total incompetence of this man, then you also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy.

Trump is a “clear and present danger” to our country’s foundation and our future, to our longtime allies and partners in Europe, and to most of our global friends elsewhere.

Thanks for stopping by.