Just now, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Well it didn't take long for the Germans to change their tone?

The recent diplomatic clash over the 2026 Iran crisis highlights how President Trump effectively outmaneuvered German Chancellor Friedrich Merz by leveraging hard power over diplomatic critique.

After Merz publicly labeled the U.S. strategy a "humiliation" and mocked its lack of an exit strategy on April 27, Trump countered with a blunt dismissal of the Chancellor’s understanding of the situation.

By pairing this rhetorical pushback with implicit threats regarding the future of U.S. troop levels in Germany, the administration forced a rapid pivot in Berlin. Consequently, Merz was compelled to "fold," abandoning his critical tone by April 30 in favor of statements emphasizing "mutual respect" and the "shared transatlantic interest".

This shift effectively silenced European dissent, realigning Germany with the U.S. position that Tehran, rather than Washington, is the party "playing for time".

Absolutely, it took Merz all of 24 hrs to cave!

Just now, mikeymike100 said:

Absolutely, it took Merz all of 24 hrs to cave!

They are fully aware of who their daddy is.

Smart from merz to defuse.

Just now, Effective altruism said:

They are fully aware of who their daddy is.

They have a country because we let them have a country. They should shut up and do what they are told.

Only Trump is qualified to judge what he is planning for our world.

Maybe Merz can say some more words and Trump can withdraw some more troops? All troops including the nuclear arsenal would be lovely. 🙂

The REAL reason for any troop withdrawal from Germany is due to the.....

Flachspüler (flat-flusher or shelf toilet)

So surprising that American soldiers have remained in that dump as long as they have.

33 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Only Trump is qualified to judge what he is planning for our world.

He has no plan for the world, only for himself.

On 5/2/2026 at 12:12 PM, TedG said:

Only 5000? It’s time for a full withdrawal. Europe can pound sand.

Gawd. Typical 😴 response from the 'special' people that follow that loon around. They have no clue as to how much America benefits from their overseas bases and through being in NATO in general. But I agree, all US troops should be repatriated, at least until an adult is back in the WH.

As pointed out on Anderson Cooper, this troop withdrawl threat came a few days after 90 minute phone call with Putin.... Trump gets played by Putin more than a playstation.

Similar thing happened first term June 2020 chat with Vlad. Fortunately, Trump lost and Biden cancelled the withdrawl.

As pointed out earlier, the bases in Germany are operational hq for the mid east, same with major medical facilities for armed forces. Not just Elvis wannabes in tanks (for those too young, he was stationed in Germany)

Just now, daveAustin said:

Gawd. Typical 😴 response from the 'special' people that follow that loon around. They have no clue as to how much America benefits from their overseas bases and through being in NATO in general. But I agree, all US troops should be repatriated, at least until an adult is back in the WH.

Agree with you, but IMO this part should have been left out "at least until an adult is back in the WH".

On 5/5/2026 at 3:35 AM, stevenl said:

Smart from merz to defuse.

That is one very nice euphemism!