cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39664905
Lieutenant General Christian Freuding fears the longstanding military partnership between the two allies is unravelling under President Trump’s administration
The Pentagon has “cut off contact” between American defence officials and their German counterparts, according to the head of Germany’s army.
The United States has traditionally treated Germany as one of its most important European allies. It is thought to have about 35,000 soldiers stationed at German bases such as Ramstein and Stuttgart, which serve as staging posts for American operations across Africa and the Middle East.
Since President Trump’s return to power in January, the relationship between the countries has become markedly cooler.
Germany should probably consider expelling all US troops stationed in Germany in response and make a public announcement that this is being discussed at least. You can‘t just sit still when a supposedly close ally suddenly slaps the door at you.
Frankly I’ve always thought the concept of military bases on foreign soil was creepy at best. And it’s hilarious how many people welcome it and the. Freak out when Saudi Arabia is looking at a base in the US. Now you know how it feels.
Contrary to certain narratives, and while it has some merit, US bases are in said countries at the explicit request of host countries because there is a perceived bigger and more existential threat next door. The host country is basically subcontracting the defense to the United States. Trolls would tell you that these countries were “influenced” or “coerced” to let American troops be stationed. Well, the US is not the one claiming the entirety of South China Sea, or invading Ukraine. South East Asia and EU want US troops to stay because of this. Poland is very US friendly, and so are Taiwan, Vietnam and Philippines. The Philippines elected to kick the American soldiers out 34 years ago, but are now regretting it with the benefit of hindsight due to territorrial dispute in South Chins Sea. Certain actors who push for US withdrawal stand to benefit from it for obvious reasons.
The US has over 700 bases in 80 countries. Countries “invite” them in just like countries “willingly” use the dollar for international trade. Its structural dependancy by an imperial power. The British did the same thing 150 years ago.
Although with Trump’s shenanigans, US dollar is gradually losing its value.
Many countries consciously outsource defense to the US, so that they could invest in their own people instead. A clear evidence of this attitude is when Spain expressed hesitancy to increase their defense budget. Obama has a point that EU has been “free riding”. However, the way Trump makes US allies to “pull their weight” is more coercive than diplomatic.
I think rammstein was a capitulation cost wasn’t it?
In the cold war it made sense. West Germany was a shattered shell of what it had been and what it would become. There was a concern that the USSR might invade, which Bonn had no hope of repelling by itself, probably the only effective method they might have would be to develop nuclear weapons. Nobody wanted more nuclear weapons, so alliances were developed and to get US skin in the game, troops were put in the firing line as an insurance policy
It still does make sense considering that russia is literally invading Ukraine (at least once a decade…) and continue to probe NATO nations. Because, in that regard, it is less a “military base on foreign soil” and more just a NATO base on NATO soil. And, in theory, it is a good idea to let the country dumb enough to spend most of their GDP on a massive standing military to foot the bill.
But considering that the US is just as likely to be on russia’s side in WW3…
It seems like the US is prepared to cede foreign policy in that region to who ever has the biggest stick. Trump is already losing influence and it doesn’t look like any one else on the right has the ability to hold the MAGA movement together? Maybe MGT?
Anyway, way back in the Obama years, the US was already pivoting to the Asia pacific as its primary focus. Trump just ripped the band aid off Europe in his usual “diplomatic” fashion.
We have American border police at our airports, and they are able to act as if they’re on home turf and not our fucking land – including arresting us to take to America. I have a thought as to whom we can expel from here, obviously!
That’s why almost no one does it other than the US, we get to have over 750 of them in more than 80 countries! And at the same time, we would absolutely lose our freedom-loving minds if another country wanted to build one in America.
Some of them welcome the bases (or so we are told) to help with defense. But seeing what’s going on in Ukraine, it seems like we can’t rely on allies to help out. Maybe still a deterrent though?
I’m guessing there’s a lot of smaller steps they could take to make the US hurt, but yes, they shouldn’t ignore it. Going to the media was probably step 1.
That would be the sensible and forward thinking action which prioritizes Germany’s future well being, yes.