Germany's defense minister has downplayed the impact of the Pentagon's decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from the country, though the move has unsettled NATO allies. This action fuels growing concerns that European nations can no longer fully depend on Washington's military presence. There are also fears that similar withdrawals could follow in Spain and Italy, impacting regional security.

Germany's defense minister is playing down the impact of the Pentagon's decision to pull 5,000 troops from the country, but the move has rattled NATO allies and added to growing fears that Europe can no longer rely on Washington. <img alt="German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a statement during his visit to the army at the Bundeswehr base in Munster, Germany, Thursday, April, 30, 2026." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6581x4388+0+0/resize/6581x4388!/?url=http%...