02/05/2026
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02/05/2026
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Installation Management Command, Directorate-Europe's Best Warrior Competition 2020 began March 1, 2020, at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany. (Jason Johnston/Army)
WASHINGTON, May 2: The United States will withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon confirmed Friday, marking a significant shift in its military posture in Europe amid growing tensions with Berlin over U.S. strategy in Iran.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the decision followed “a thorough review” of U.S. force positioning in Europe, citing evolving operational requirements and conditions on the ground.
The move fulfills a warning by President Donald Trump earlier this week, after a public dispute with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz had criticized Washington’s handling of the Iran conflict, describing the United States as being “humiliated” by Tehran and lacking a coherent strategy.
Germany currently hosts around 36,000 U.S. troops, making it one of Washington’s most critical military hubs overseas. Key installations include Ramstein Air Base, the U.S. European and Africa Command headquarters, and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The country also stores U.S. nuclear weapons under NATO arrangements.
The planned withdrawal represents roughly 14% of the American military presence in Germany.
The announcement drew swift criticism from Democratic lawmakers in Washington and several security analysts, who warned the move could undermine NATO cohesion and embolden Russia.
Meanwhile, Berlin struck a measured tone. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the withdrawal had been anticipated and underscored the need for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities.
“That U.S. troops are withdrawing from Europe and also from Germany was to be expected,” Pistorius said in a statement. “We Europeans must take greater responsibility for our security.”
The Pentagon reiterated that the repositioning would be conducted gradually over the coming year, without specifying whether the troops would be redeployed elsewhere in Europe or returned to the United States.
