00:00U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his country will withdraw 5,000 active-duty troops from NATO-allied Germany
00:06in the next 6 to 12 months.
00:08This fulfills earlier threats after Trump clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Maers over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
00:15Maers had criticized Washington's lack of strategy in the conflict.
00:19The Pentagon said the decision follows a thorough review of force posture in Europe.
00:25Germany hosts several U.S. military facilities, including Rammstein Air Base and a medical center.
00:31The number of troops leaving would be about 14% of the country's total deployment.
00:36Trump recently suggested his administration was also looking into reducing its presence in Spain and Italy next.
00:43Democrats in Congress warned that the withdrawal would benefit Russia and weaken U.S. security.
00:49Analysts say the move could carry disastrous consequences at a time of heightened global instability.
00:55Depending on operations, exercises and troop rotations, the U.S. stations around 80,000 to 100,000 personnel on the
01:02continent.
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