US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany amid Trump-Merz tensions

The Pentagon announced on Friday that the United States will withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, fulfilling a threat made by President Donald Trump. The decision follows a review of force posture in Europe and reflects theater requirements and ground conditions, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Trump had earlier threatened to reduce forces after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the US for being 'humiliated' by Iran's leadership and lacking a strategy in the war. The withdrawal represents 14% of the 36,000 American service members stationed in Germany. The US maintains major military facilities in Germany, including US European Command and US Africa Command headquarters, Ramstein Airbase, Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre (the largest American hospital outside the US), and nuclear missile sites.