The Pentagon is pivoting from the Middle East to deal with Russia and the Ukraine and China and Taiwan ….
This is good news for NATO and Europe which Trump had little time or like for….
The U.S. will step up its military presence in Germany by 500 soldiers, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.
Speaking during a trip to Berlin where he met with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Austin said that strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Germany was a “top priority for the Biden/Harris administration.”
He said he “had a productive dialogue on a number of security issues” with Kramp-Karrenbauer, insisting that it was “good for the United States and good for NATO” to have a U.S. military presence in Germany, which he called one of Washington’s “staunchest allies.”
“In keeping with my pledge to consult with allies and partners today, I briefed the minister on our intention to permanently station approximately 500 additional U.S. personnel in the Wiesbaden area as early as this fall,” Austin said.
The secretary also lauded Berlin’s upcoming naval deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, calling it a “tangible sign of Germany’s commitment to project stability and uphold a rules-based international order.”
Earlier this year, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Washington was reversing his predecessor Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw up to 12,000 troops from Germany.
During his presidency, Trump often complained about what he considered Germany’s insufficient ambitions to increase defense spending, once going as far as calling the country “delinquent.”
Austin, in contrast, thanked Kramp-Karrenbauer for stepping up Germany’s commitment to spending more on defense.
Germany’s relief at the change in tune from Washington was palpable on Tuesday….
Note…
This a military and economic plus for Germany…
The Biden admin will intern look for Germany to NOT continue working with Russian on a oil pipeline…
Lindsey Graham Slams Biden’s Decision on Afghanistan
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) slammed President Biden’s plans to fully withdraw all troops from Afghanistan, calling the decision “dumber than dirt and devilishy dangerous,” The Hill reports.
He added: “President Biden will have, in essence, cancelled an insurance policy against another 9/11.”
Politicalwire…