Retreat From Germany - WSJ Editorial

[question everything]

The Chinese threat to democratic values extends far beyond the Pacific, and the U.S. needs allies across the world to resist. That’s one of many reasons Mr. Trump’s partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany would be damaging.

There’s been no official word or explanation. But the Journal reported Friday that Mr. Trump has ordered 9,500 of the 34,500 Americans stationed in Germany to leave by September. Troop levels in the country—the heart of America’s presence in Europe—sometimes rise to more than 50,000. They now will be capped arbitrarily at 25,000. Some may be moved elsewhere in Europe, though infrastructure built over decades can’t go with them.

Deterring Russian aggression is one purpose of the U.S. presence. But the U.S. can also respond to far-flung threats faster thanks to its German bases. U.S. Africa Command is based in Stuttgart, while other U.S. facilities support American efforts in the Middle East. This lets the U.S. project power while maintaining a smaller presence in dangerous regions.

Withdrawal is a gift to Vladimir Putin, who delights at divisions in NATO and has done nothing to warrant a drawdown of U.S. forces. The Russian military said Friday it is deploying a brigade with advanced equipment to the country’s west. It’s a reminder that Russia, despite being an economic backwater, still poses a significant military threat to Europe.

The trans-Atlantic relationship isn’t always harmonious. American and European interests diverge sometimes, and it can get ugly. But revisionist powers like Russia and China envy America’s enduring ties with Europe. The U.S. and European Union are each other’s biggest trading partners, and together their economic power is unrivalled. One foundation of this is security cooperation.

Mr. Trump’s partial withdrawal appears to be mostly out of personal pique for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who recently rejected Mr. Trump’s invitation to a G-7 meeting at Camp David. This offers no political benefit for Mr. Trump, and a wider rift with the President won’t hurt Mrs. Merkel. Some 13% of Germans have confidence in Mr. Trump, according to a 2019 Pew Researchsurvey.

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/retreat-from-germany-11591566310 (subscription)

[orwell]

1. The money line...

Withdrawal is a gift to Vladimir Putin, who delights at divisions in NATO and has done nothing to warrant a drawdown of U.S. forces.

Why is it that all roads lead to Putin?

Just sayin'...

[underpants]

2. A WSJ Editorial????

They are usually a bastion of crazy.

[question everything]

4. Not always. They have always supported globalization and immigration

and on occasions one can find something worth noting.

[mike_c]

3. a broken clock is right once a day

This is the only thing Trump has done that I applaud. No other nation maintains as many garrisons around the world as the U.S. does. They're bankrupting us and they reflect an aggressive, militaristic foreign policy that I despise. We can do better than being the world's police and we can especially do better than being the world's bully. If I were president emptying those garrisons would be one of my first priorities.

[Best_man23]

5. If I was the Pentagon, I would drag feet on enacting this as much as possible

I'm certain one of the first National Security acts by President Biden will be to rescind any orders issued by Lysol Von Clusterfuck.

[question everything]

6. Wondered about it, too. Just as it was with Syria

Can he just flipped his hand and things happen immediately?