It is already known that the United States plans to reduce its military presence in Germany, but it is only now that the Pentagon defends its scope. Of the nearly 12,000 soldiers who will leave Germany, just over half will return to the United States. Others will be stationed in other NATO countries, such as Belgium, Italy and Poland. About 25,000 American soldiers remain in Germany.

"Going free on NATO"

The decision to bring home troops from Germany is in line with President Trump's promises to reduce US military involvement in the outside world. At the same time, Trump says that the downsizing is at least partly due to Germany's unwillingness to contribute enough to NATO financially.

According to Defense Minister Mark Esper, the redistribution is intended to strengthen NATO's presence in the Black Sea region.

"I am confident that this will strengthen the alliance," the Secretary of Defense told the New York Times. Esper adds that the first transfers can take place in a few weeks.

Security policy cornerstone

The United States currently has a total of 47,000 military and civilian personnel stationed in Germany. The US troop presence there has been seen by the West as a cornerstone of security policy throughout the post-war period. Germany is also a hub for US operations in the Middle East and Africa. By moving troops from Germany to countries in Eastern Europe, the United States also wants to send signals to Russia that it remains in the area, ready to resist Russian aggression.

Risk going nowhere

The decision to reduce its presence in Germany has been met with criticism not only from NATO but also from within Trump's own political ranks. According to the Associated Press, 22 Republican congressmen write in a letter to the president that the decision is "a gift to Russia" and threatens US national security.

The redeployment of troops will cost the United States billions of dollars and take several years to complete. The whole plan also risks going awry if Donald Trump loses to Democrat Joe Biden in the November election.