Trump is cutting the numbers of US troops in Europe. Here’s how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly canceled two major US military deployments to Europe and ordered the removal of other personnel from the continent, according to two defense officials. The moves, which include the cancellation of a scheduled rotation of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and the future deployment of a long-range rocket and missile battalion to Germany, are part of a broader effort to reduce the number of US troops in Europe following criticism from President Donald Trump about support from European allies. The decision comes after Trump publicly criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had accused the US of being “humiliated” by Iran and repeatedly called out NATO countries for not participating in the Iran war. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced on May 1 that the Pentagon would withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from Germany after a “thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe.” The cancellation of scheduled rotations and deployments is seen as a way to address logistical challenges of quickly withdrawing forces permanently stationed in Germany, particularly those whose families are also stationed there, while still reducing troop numbers. The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, which includes approximately 4,700 soldiers, had been scheduled to rotate through Poland and other countries including the Baltic states and Romania. Some personnel from the brigade were already in Europe and are now being redeployed back to the US. The memo also canceled the future deployment to Germany of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, a unit specializing in long-range rockets and missiles, and directed that a command in Europe overseeing those capabilities be removed from the continent.#trump #pete_hegseth #germany #friedrich_merz #sean_parnell
Germany Introduces Exit Permit Requirement for Men Under New Military Law A new military service law enacted in Germany on January 1, 2026, has sparked significant debate, particularly due to a provision requiring men aged 18 to 45 to obtain approval from the Bundeswehr Career Center before staying abroad for more than three months. This requirement, which has drawn little public attention compared to the contentious mandatory conscription discussions, aims to ensure the military can track the whereabouts of potential recruits in case of a conflict. The law, known as the Military Service Modernization Act, is part of a broader effort to expand Germany’s active-duty forces from approximately 180,000 to 260,000 by 2035, driven by heightened security concerns following Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The exit permit rule applies to all men in the specified age range, regardless of their purpose for leaving Germany—whether for study, work, or travel. The Frankfurter Rundschau reported that the regulation would require individuals to seek approval from the Bundeswehr Career Center, with the military obligated to issue the permit unless there is a specific expectation of military service during the period abroad. A Bundeswehr spokesperson confirmed the policy, stating that the requirement is rooted in the need to monitor the location of potential recruits during wartime. The official emphasized that since military service is currently voluntary, the permit process is designed to ensure compliance without imposing penalties. The law’s broader implications have been a source of controversy. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing coalition faced internal divisions over the reintroduction of mandatory military service, which was suspended in 2011.#germany #bundeswehr #cold_war #military_service_modernization_act #friedrich_merz
