2026 US-Denmark Tensions/End of NATO

[Altair]

I would think that the US will need those ships assigned to Iran to rotate back home. I doubt that the majority of them will be able to take on another assignment directly after this.

Almost certainly, I just imagine that the Pentagon doesn't want assets being deployed in two theaters and leaving gaps open when both need to be refitted at the same time

 

[Brad Sallows]

Do you think the American military can replicate the capabilities of ramstein air base somewhere that is not Europe in the course of a year?

I dont see where that would be, I dont see it happening by 2027.

The Americans need Ramstein more than the Germans need Americans at Ramstein.

If trump gets his way this will be the greatest geopolitical disaster for the americans in generations and its completely self inflicted.

I will sit by with popcorn and watch the fallout.

Hypothesis 1: the critics here have a remarkable ability to pinpoint strategic weaknesses that cannot be overcome by the Pentagon.

Hypothesis 2: the Pentagon has competent planners that can find new ways of doing old business.

 

[YZT580]

Almost certainly, I just imagine that the Pentagon doesn't want assets being deployed in two theaters and leaving gaps open when both need to be refitted at the same time

They should also be concerned about burn-out of their crews. How many will sign on again after being at sea for extended periods of time, particularly if the pictures regarding the food are in any way correct and with no mail

 

[brihard]

I would think that the US will need those ships assigned to Iran to rotate back home. I doubt that the majority of them will be able to take on another assignment directly after this.

Maybe, maybe not. Look how long the Ford was deployed.

Almost certainly, I just imagine that the Pentagon doesn't want assets being deployed in two theaters and leaving gaps open when both need to be refitted at the same time

Cubs would look more like Venezuela than Iran. Short, sharp regime change operation with probably a modest and brief ground presence. Projecting power to Cuba would be much easier than Iran, and there would be much less military work to be done.

 

[Altair]

They should also be concerned about burn-out of their crews. How many will sign on again after being at sea for extended periods of time, particularly if the pictures regarding the food are in any way correct and with no mail

The higher up the chain one goes the less one cares about such things.

 

[YZT580]

The higher up the chain one goes the less one cares about such things.

until you don't have trained crews when they are needed like us.

 

[Altair]

until you don't have trained crews when they are needed like us.

Natural consequences of such actions, but look at who is in charge in the states and tell me they care about the long term consequences of their actions.

Trump and co are looking to remove their troops presence in Europe by 2027, according to leaks coming out of Europe.

Tell me that screams long term planning.

 

[YZT580]

Natural consequences of such actions, but look at who is in charge in the states and tell me they care about the long term consequences of their actions.

Trump and co are looking to remove their troops presence in Europe by 2027, according to leaks coming out of Europe.

Tell me that screams long term planning.

I have never lied to you

 

[daftandbarmy]

The Danes are not going with an American option because it will take 'too long'...

Denmark to receive first SAMP/T NG air-defense system in 2028​

Denmark will receive the French-Italian SAMP/T NG air-defense system starting in 2028 after orders were signed in the first quarter of this year, according to French defense firm Thales, which will supply the radar for the Danish system.

The Danish version of the system will be equipped with the Thales Ground Fire 300 radar, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. The purchase officially makes Denmark the third country to join the club of SAMP/T NG clients, alongside France and Italy, Thales said.

Denmark to receive first SAMP/T NG air-defense system in 2028

Copenhagen in September picked the European system over the American-made Patriot.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Altair]

Germany says US troop withdrawal 'foreseeable' as Nato seeks clarification

In the US, two senior Republicans voice concern over President Trump's decision to pull out 5,000 troops.

www.bbc.com

Asked about the cuts to troops in Germany on Saturday night, Trump said: "We're going to cut way down, and we're cutting a lot further than 5,000." He did not provide more details.

I'm here for it. America speedrun to empire collapse. Usually these things take time, but we can watch it happen over one term.

 

[Furniture]

Germany says US troop withdrawal 'foreseeable' as Nato seeks clarification

In the US, two senior Republicans voice concern over President Trump's decision to pull out 5,000 troops.

www.bbc.com

I'm here for it. America speedrun to empire collapse. Usually these things take time, but we can watch it happen over one term.

I'm not sure cutting back in Germany is as concequential as you're making it out to be.

If they are cutting ground forces and admin staff, but leaving key things like medical and aviation support assets, it could be a welcome compromise for America and Germany. Less Americans around will make the Germans feel better, and will cost America less. Russia is essentially a spent force at this time, so there is little reason to have so many Americans sitting in Europe at high cost.

 

[Altair]

I'm not sure cutting back in Germany is as concequential as you're making it out to be.

If they are cutting ground forces and admin staff, but leaving key things like medical and aviation support assets, it could be a welcome compromise for America and Germany. Less Americans around will make the Germans feel better, and will cost America less. Russia is essentially a spent force at this time, so there is little reason to have so many Americans sitting in Europe at high cost.

I'm sure that Trump and Hegseth are planning this with the upmost care and strategic forethought and not simply doing this on a whim because Trump felt butthurt over Mertz calling a spade a spade.

Wait...

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/30/trump-germany-troop-pullout-pentagon-shocked-00900619?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

Trump’s call to reduce US troops in Germany shocks Pentagon​

 

[lenaitch]

And I will counter that Europeans, Brits and Canadians have spent decades villifying, demeaning and ignoring Americans and their Presidents.

Do we want to keep going?

Or should we just deal with where we are?

I'm not sure a lot of "ignoring" has gone on, but most of that was at the political and diplomatic levels, a game played by all sides, including the US. In spite of all that sniping, we (Canade/Europe/UK) traded, we cooperated, we worked together militarily. Until about a year ago.

I think nations are dealing with "where we are now". The 'leader of the free world' has called out just about every other country as a bunch of untrustworthy losers, and they are reacting.

 

[FJAG]

I'm not sure cutting back in Germany is as concequential as you're making it out to be.

If they are cutting ground forces and admin staff, but leaving key things like medical and aviation support assets, it could be a welcome compromise for America and Germany. Less Americans around will make the Germans feel better, and will cost America less. Russia is essentially a spent force at this time, so there is little reason to have so many Americans sitting in Europe at high cost.

It's one of those I'm partially on board but not otherwise.

The cost issue is mostly a red herring. Unless those 5,000 are part of an overall force reduction the costs will mostly a wash. The US already owns the infrastructure, it's not like it will be sold off. The costs to maintain those troops are mostly a wash except for some foreign service allowances etc. Maybe the pay for some German workers will be saved. The biggest loss is the multiplier effect in Germany of personnel and installation costs expended in Germany rather than the US economy.

OTOH, what effect this decision has is questionable and all dependent on who exactly gets cut. There are very few US combat forces in Germany - a multi-domain task force, an air defence brigade a cavalry SBCT - most everything else is headquarters, training, intelligence, signals and logistics organizations. The V Corps advance and rotational BCTs are in Poland. An airborne IBCT in Italy. I doubt either of the MDTF or ADA Bde will go away. Maybe the cavalry, but while stationed in Germany, they work with V Corps as well, so I just see a thinning out across the board. One thing, BCTs are being downsized a lot under Transformation in Contact - you could probably make up several thousands through that.

 

[Halifax Tar]

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/02/nx-s1-5808891/europe-allies-germany-troop-withdrawal-us

This is a bizarre quote in the opening paragraph to me...

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sought to project calm Saturday after the Pentagon announced it would withdraw roughly 5,000 troops from his country, calling the decision "anticipated" and insisting his country is ready to shoulder more of the burden of its defense.