By Benjamin H. Friedman and Harvey M. Sapolsky
As America struggles with COVID-19’s expanding toll and its disastrous impact on the economy, the turmoil caused by George Floyd’s senseless killing, and President Trump’s responses to those troubles, a bit of good news leaked out. Trump has reportedly directed the Pentagon to withdraw 9,500 troops from Germany, about one-quarter of the U.S. force garrisoned there.
Trump’s suggestion brought predictable bipartisan alarm in Congress and editorial pages, but it’s actually a modest and overdue step that should be a down payment towards broader drawdown in Europe.
Of course, with Trump, it’s always possible one is debating piffle: theatrics that never become realities, like the supposed withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria or the peace deal with North Korea. Regardless, this is a sound idea deserving defense, and is far more consistent with traditional American foreign policy than the reaction suggests.
This piece was originally published in Defense One on June 19, 2020. Read more HERE.