In an effort to meet President Trump’s call to punish Germany for not meeting a 2% commitment to NATO, the Department of Defense will bring approximately 6,400 troops back to the United States and reshuffle nearly 5,600 to Belgium and Italy in what it says is a move that will reassure NATO allies of the U.S. commitment to deterring Russian aggression.
“Germany can and should pay more to its defense,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said at a Wednesday Pentagon press briefing, flanked by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Hyten and joined remotely by U.S. European Command Gen. Tod Wolters.
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