U.S. assessing cost of keeping troops in Germany as Trump battles with Europe (Euros Panicking)

MSN ^ | 6-29-2018 | John Hudson, Paul Sonne, Karen DeYoung, Josh Dawsey

[tcrlaf]

The Pentagon is analyzing the cost and impact of a large-scale withdrawal or transfer of American troops stationed in Germany, amid growing tensions between President Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to people familiar with the work.

The effort follows Trump’s expression of interest in removing the troops, made during a meeting earlier this year with White House and military aides, U.S. officials said. Trump was said to have been taken aback by the size of the U.S. presence, which includes about 35,000 active-duty troops, and complained that other countries were not contributing fairly to joint security or paying enough to NATO.

Word of the assessment has alarmed European officials, who are scrambling to determine whether Trump actually intends to reposition U.S. forces or whether it is merely a negotiating tactic ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels, where Trump is again likely to criticize U.S. allies for what he deems insufficient defense spending.

[tcrlaf]

Trump's summit with Putin will likely address this. Move a token ground and air Force to Poland. Where they WANT them, and are willing to help PAY for it, and leave the Germans to their own, pitiful and malfunctioning devices.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Europe has grown stupid and lazy. Let them defend themselves.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

This!

[familyop]

Yep. Looks like a good move.

[catnipman]

several freepers predicted this very thing here during the last couple of days ... YEA freepers!

[catnipman]

leftists everywhere suddenly turning into hawkish world policeman via projecting U.S. military power ... simply because it’s the opposite of what Trump wants ...

[FLT-bird]

YES! I have been calling for this for 20 years or more. I swear, it’s like he can read my mind. All the stuff I’ve long thought or endorsed, all the things the establishment said were sacrosanct but which I thought were BS and not in America’s interest, he challenges if not overturns.

Now, about slashing our outsized contribution to the UN......

[SkyPilot]

Bump for later

[JPJones]

Why the F do we have troops in Germany? For Free?

Bring them all home and station them on the southern border.

[FLT-bird]

PS any chance of getting the UN headquarters the hell off of our sovereign territory? They’ve been whining tor a new building. Let it be in Geneva or someplace.....

[Cobra64]

Yup.Our annual contribution to the UN should be one dollar.

[Greenpees]

Poland and Czech Republic...DONE! We don’t need the quisling Germans

[BBell]

Maybe more Russian influence would be a good thing for PARTS of Europe. Particular the migrant loving EU.

[truth_seeker]

Form a new alliance, to repel Muslim hordes into Europe and the US.

USA, Poland, Hungary to start. With US for partner, others might want to join.

[Gene Eric]

Move the bases to Poland!

[M-cubed]

Defend themselves?...lol...look at their immigration policies..they are dying to be overrun...

[Hodar]

Best news of the day!!

[Myrddin]

On many of my trips to SHAPE, I wondered when the prospect of setting up shop in Poland might occur. I even purchased a copy of Teach Yourself Polish in anticipation of an opportunity to help set up the new site. I'll probably retire within 5 years, so getting to participate is a diminishing prospect. My current contract will provide plenty of work without need of travel.

[Spok]

The irony! Last time our relations with the krauts cratered, we sent the troops IN!!

[Seaplaner]

Either that or no more free lunch or running a tab.

I would much rather see the UN off-shore.