President Trump’s decision to withdraw 9,500 troops from Germany stunned officials in both countries—including many in his own administration. The U.S. troop presence in Germany not only deters Russian aggression; it reassures Germany’s neighbors east and west that Berlin will never again disturb the peace of Europe or threaten their security. To cut that troop commitment at all strikes virtually the entire U.S. foreign-policy establishment as dangerous; to cut the commitment without careful consultations with Germany and...

Source: Wall Street Journal June 10, 2020 16:48 UTC