Germany Flags Looming US Troop Pullout as NATO Seeks Clarity

Germany’s defence minister says the US move to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany is foreseeable, as NATO seeks details from Washington; the 36,000-plus U.S. troops stationed in Germany make it the largest European deployment, and NATO warns the withdrawal could affect alliance unity, while Berlin urges Europe to take more responsibility for security amid rising German defence spending; the withdrawal is expected to be completed over six to twelve months.