• Missioni, Guerini: confirm presence in operating theaters

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July 29, 2020 The United States will withdraw 12,000 soldiers from Germany. Of these, 6,400 will return home and 5,400 will be located in other European countries, including Poland, Italy and Belgium. In Germany, 25,000 will remain.

US defense officials have made it known by unveiling the Pentagon's plan that will cost several billion dollars and begin in a few months. The decision had already been anticipated by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Guerini: "We cover the south flank of the Alliance"
"The possible evolution of the positioning of the US forces in the European chessboard - commented the Minister of Defense, Lorenzo Guerini - will see an intense dialogue between the Allies, also in relation to the possible impact that this could have on the posture of defense and deterrence of NATO, with particular reference to the sectors of more strategic interest for our national security, starting from the southern flank of the Alliance ". 

The defense ministry said in a statement that "the US secretary of defense, Esper, specified during a press conference that no movement will take place without consultation with NATO allies". "For this reason, an initial dialogue is underway, pending more detailed and precise communications and requests from the American administration, prodromal to any further study and possible decisions also from the Italian side, which in any case will require a significant lapse of time for planning and consequent possible implementation "continues the note on Via XX Settembre. "In any case, any further evolution will take place within the close consultations between allies for the most productive NATO operations". 

F-16 fighter squadron in Aviano
The US plans to displace an F-16 fighter squadron in Aviano, which are currently located in the bases of Ramstein and Spangdahlem, Germany. It is the indiscretion published by the Wall Street Journal, after the Pentagon confirmed the partial withdrawal and relocation of troops to Germany. The aim of the Pentagon is to get closer to the Black Sea region, in order to employ the F-16s "along the southeast flank of NATO". Two army battalions could be located in Italy, Belgium, Poland and the Baltic republics. US Africa Command headquarters will move from Germany. Possible destinations: Italy or Spain.

Trump: "Germany does not pay"
The American president defended his plan by saying that Berlin is not spending the planned 2% share of its GDP in favor of NATO. "We spend a lot of money in Germany, they take advantage of us commercially," said a White House source. "Our military is in that country to protect Europe. They are there to protect Germany, and Germany should pay for it," added Trump. Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Germany's expenses, saying that they have increased and that the country will continue to work to reach the 2% benchmark.

Command away from Stuttgart
The central command of US troops in Europe will be moved from Stuttgart to Mons, Belgium, where one of the two headquarters of NATO (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) is already located. This is what was communicated in Washington by the commander of the US armed forces in Europe, General Tod Walters. The command center for Africa may also be located in another location from Stuttgart, which has not yet been decided. Previously, it was Secretary of Defense Mark Esper who announced that the United States will reduce the presence of American soldiers in Germany by about a third: the current 36 thousand soldiers will decrease by 12 thousand units, of which 6400 will return to the US and another 5600 will be sent to other countries, including Italy and Belgium.

Romney: "Damage to American interests"
Soldiers withdrawn from Germany will also be relocated to Italy and Belgium. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the move by the United States and said Washington had consulted with the Allies. Senator Mitt Romney, on the other hand, called the plan a "serious mistake", stating that it is a slap in the face to Germany that will permanently damage American interests. The German defense ministry declined to comment on the move, stating that plans had to be discussed internally first.

Goal Poland
Trump's move is closely linked to the plan to increase the presence of US troops in Poland, a much desired move from Warsaw and the Polish President Andrzej Duda. However, the plan could have sunk if Trump were not re-elected.