NATO has asked the United States to specify the scope of its decision to withdraw some of its troops from Germany, in a move affecting some 5,000 military personnel and which is part of a broader review of the US deployment in Europe.
The Pentagon has confirmed a progressive withdrawal within a period of six to twelve months, which represents a new source of tension within the Atlantic Alliance. The measure comes in a context marked by Donald Trump's recurring criticisms of his European partners, whom he has accused for years of not assuming their share of the defense effort.
From Brussels, the organization's spokesperson, Allison Hart, has insisted that NATO has already been informed of the movement, but is still awaiting knowledge of its real scope. The alliance is "working with the United States to understand the details" of the withdrawal announced by Trump, as conveyed this Saturday, in line with the information disseminated by EFE. Beyond the political announcement, at the Atlantic headquarters, they are concerned about how this decision will affect the military balance on the continent.
In any case, the "adjustment", as NATO defines it, reinforces an idea that has been on the table for years: Europe must assume more responsibility for its own security. The organization emphasizes that this change comes in parallel with the commitments made by the allies to increase defense spending, especially after the Hague summit, where it was agreed to move towards levels close to 5% of GDP.
Despite the uncertainty, NATO insists that it maintains its deterrence and collective defense capability intact. However, the strategic message is clear: the partial withdrawal of US troops is not just an operational decision, but a further step towards a new balance within the Alliance, in which Europe will have to play a more active role within an increasingly demanding NATO in terms of co-responsibility.