US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany after Merz says US ‘humiliated’ by Iran

News World US News US withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany after Merz says US ‘humiliated’ by Iran The planned reduction amounts to roughly 14 per cent of the around 36,000 US service members currently stationed in Germany. 3 min read May 2, 2026 05:08 AM IST First published on: May 2, 2026 at 05:08 AM IST President Donald Trump. (Photo: AP) The United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon has said, following tensions between President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran. The planned reduction amounts to roughly 14 per cent of the around 36,000 US service members currently stationed in Germany. Why the US is pulling troops According to the Pentagon, the move comes after a review of its military presence in Europe. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the decision “follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theatre requirements and conditions on the ground,” as quoted by AP. The announcement follows public criticism from Merz, who said Washington was being “humiliated” by Iran and questioned its strategy in the conflict. Trump’s long-standing stance Trump has for years pushed to reduce US troop levels in Europe and has criticised NATO allies for not contributing enough to security efforts. Story continues below this ad Earlier this week, he raised the possibility of pulling troops from Germany and later repeated his criticism of the German leadership on social media, urging Berlin to focus more on issues closer to home. He did not respond to reporters’ questions about the withdrawal on Friday. During his first term, Trump had proposed withdrawing about 9,500 troops from Germany, but the plan was halted after Joe Biden took office in 2021. Role of US troops in Germany Germany hosts key US military facilities, including major command headquarters and air bases that support operations in Europe and beyond. Security analyst Nico Lange told AP earlier that US forces in Germany largely serve American strategic interests, including “the projection of American power globally,” rather than Germany’s direct defence. Story continues below this ad Wider NATO concerns The move comes as US allies in NATO prepare for a possible reduction in American military support in Europe. Between 80,000 and 100,000 US personnel are typically stationed across the continent, including troops deployed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. European allies have expected that some of these forces could be withdrawn as Washington reassesses its military commitments. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd # donald trump # Germany Loading Recommendations... 01 02 03 04 05 Live Blog