President Trump’s plans for Germany were announced again today by the Pentagon, and once again they say the plan is to cut 9,500 US troops from Germany, bringing the current level down to about 25,000.
This seems to be the actual plan this time, after reports that Defense Secretary Mark Esper intended to set out the various options Monday. The Pentagon was not clear on where the troops would be sent.
German officials warned it could do long-term harm to US German relations, and the Senate is already starting a bipartisan effort to mandate a minimum troop level Germany of 34,500, which would preclude any further cuts. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), leading the effort, called the cuts a “gift to Russia.”
Trump has repeatedly complained Germany isn’t spending more money on its military, though polls show Germans oppose any increases to meet US demands. The US troop cuts are not likely to fuel big changes in Germany, as they have no real military threats in the area.
More good news. The major German bases may have to stay, but there’s no reason to spend any more in Germany than necessary.
The main threat to the U.S. military, is their own spending habits, which have outstripped the civilian economy. Poland may be a cheaper place to base, if they have to base in Europe at all.
Germany, meanwhile, defended by U.S. troops against… no real threat in particular, devoted its budget to civilian concerns and is Europe’s industrial powerhouse as a result.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), leading the effort, called the cuts a “gift to Russia.”
Yes Mitt, Russia was just waiting for that troop level to get down to 25,000 so they could start their mass invasion. With a minimum of 34,500, Russia knows better. Mitt the twit. Still.
They cut 9500 unneeded base and headquarters units and leave the combat forces untouched.
https://www.g2mil.com/OBCL.htm
War is still, after all, a racket.
Bring them all home from everywhere.
My personal favorite is how the Germans complain it will hurt their local economies. Well no kidding, now they know how we feel about taking that money from our economy to dump into theirs.
I’ve lived in two towns in the US that were hurt badly when the bases were closed. (Marina Ca. and Oscoda Mi.) My business in Marina (subMarina subs and deli) was crushed when Fort Ord closed. But that economy is coming back strong now that Fort Ord is being opened up to new business. Oscoda Mi. is also doing just fine. If the US were to completely close it’s bases in Germany I suspect the area would quickly recover as well and that land would be put to better use.
I’m no fan of a standing army, yet if you do have one it makes much more economic sense to have them stationed at home where they and their family members will spend that money into our economy. Better yet, would be to leave that money in the hands of the American People so they can produce things we actually need. The same goes for the land these bases sit on, Better uses for that land exist and putting them to better use actually helps your economy as well.
Sure it’s true that other nations do get a benefit economically from our bases, but the opportunity cost is never factored in. What would that land be worth without our presence? It’s not zero but they act as if it were. The same is true even for our bases at home. The opportunity cost is never considered. Yes it helps the local economy to take money from across the country and pump it into the local’s hands. But that hurts the other areas who are taxed. It even hurts the local economy to the extent that the land could be used for better purposes as well. All other things being equal a factory would help the local economy just as much while actually adding to the total tax base of the nation rather than reducing it.