Austin: US adds 500 troops in Germany, despite Trump pledge

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that he is expanding the U.S. military presence in Germany by 500 troops and has stopped planning for large-scale troop cuts ordered by the Trump administration.

“This planned increase in U.S. personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance,” Austin said in a notable counterpoint to the Trump administration’s repeated complaints that Germany is a weak partner on defense and security.

Austin made the announcement after talks with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on his first tour of Europe since becoming Pentagon chief in January.

Kramp-Karrenbauer welcomed the announcement as a “strong signal” of a healthy U.S.-German relationship.

-snip-

By ROBERT BURNS
33 minutes ago


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-europe-lloyd-austin-berlin-germany-201df3ddf8a2b17336c4df2cbf88ef1d

[Lonestarblue]

1. Starting to rebuild NATO trust that Trump broke.

If Trump could have pulled us out of NATO, he would have. Putin’s puppet still needs to be investigated for his actions that gave Putin whatever he wanted. It’s time to subpoena that interpreter whose notes Trump confiscated and find out what Trump and Putin discussed in their private meeting. We need to know Trump’s obligations to Putin because he could be the candidate in 2024. A lot of people think he’ll be too old and senile, but he’s only 74 (75 in June) and both his parents had long lives—father died at 93 and mother at 88. I also do not trust that the NY investigation will completely derail him. A lot of deference will be given to a former president, and none has ever been indicted for a crime or sent to jail.

I don’t think he would win if he did manage to become the Republican candidate, but he has maintained amazing control over the Republican Party for a former president. If that continues, either he or one of his children, most likely Junior, could be the 2024 nominee.

[Probatim]

2. Guess what? He's no longer president - so it doesn't matter what he said

So why bring him up?

[Eugene]

3. From 5th paragraph, everything Trump did is on the table, including Afghanistan.

The article goes on to explain the context, including Trump's vindictive motives. This meeting is all about mending fences and cleaning up the mess the Former Guy made.

[Probatim]

7. My question is more about why the author had to mention him.

If I recall, winning an election lets you change policies to reflect the goals of the country (or party or Putin in the case of the previous admin). Mentioning the other guy is meaningless at this point.

[2Gingersnaps]

6. Because he is still the head of the Republican Party.

These nationwide voter suppression efforts after the last election are not for nothing. And yes, Putin did just sign a law making himself President for two more terms. He is not done with us. Seventy million people voted for the clown. And he has yet to be held accountable for his attempted fascist coup.

[dalton99a]

4. Kick

[Roc2020]

5. No one wants to acknowledge the scary truth

but Russia is loading up on Ukraine border and China is gunning for Taiwan. A hot WW111 is at our doorsteps.

[monkeyman1]

8. well luckily we don't have a damn draft dodger for president ! a.k.a.- Russian sympathizer.