NATO Reviews US Plan to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany
Theo Al Jazeera Staff
NATO is reviewing the US plan to withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany over 6–12 months amid rising tensions between President Trump and European allies over the Iran conflict. The withdrawal reflects shifting US priorities toward China and a more transactional approach to allies, prompting Germany to call for greater European self-reliance in defense.
On May 1, 2026, NATO announced it is reviewing the details of the US decision to withdraw about 5,000 soldiers from Germany, a key partner in the Western security alliance. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said in a statement that the bloc is working with the United States to understand the specifics of the decision regarding forces in Germany, a process the Pentagon estimates will take six to twelve months.
The troop withdrawal comes as US President Donald Trump criticizes European allies for not providing more support for the joint US-Israel war against Iran. He has particularly directed anger at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently said the United States is being humiliated by Iran's leadership. Trump responded by telling Merz to stop meddling in Iran and instead focus on fixing his own weakened country. The US President also called NATO a paper tiger and completely useless.
Former US diplomat Donald Jensen commented that the withdrawal reflects a shift in US military priorities and could signal a long-term restructuring of Europe's security architecture. Jensen said the reduction or redeployment of troops shows a changing set of US strategic goals, and many US soldiers may be repositioned closer to China, which Washington sees as a greater threat than Russia. He argued this change will lead to a permanent shift in European security structures and a more transactional approach from Washington toward European partners.
Reacting to the US announcement, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany had anticipated the US troop withdrawal and that Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security. He affirmed that Germany is on the right track with expanding its armed forces, faster procurement of equipment, and infrastructure building.
NATO spokesperson Hart stressed that the US decision shows Europe needs to continue investing more in defense and sharing common security responsibilities. She said NATO remains confident in its deterrence and defense capabilities as the transition toward a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO proceeds. At last year's NATO summit in The Hague, members agreed to increase defense spending to up to 5% of budgets, double the previous 2% target.
