this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2025
369 points (99.7% liked)

World News

51085 readers
1683 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39664905

Lieutenant General Christian Freuding fears the longstanding military partnership between the two allies is unravelling under President Trump’s administration

The Pentagon has “cut off contact” between American defence officials and their German counterparts, according to the head of Germany’s army.

The United States has traditionally treated Germany as one of its most important European allies. It is thought to have about 35,000 soldiers stationed at German bases such as Ramstein and Stuttgart, which serve as staging posts for American operations across Africa and the Middle East.

Since President Trump’s return to power in January, the relationship between the countries has become markedly cooler.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 155 points 4 days ago (10 children)

Germany should probably consider expelling all US troops stationed in Germany in response and make a public announcement that this is being discussed at least. You can‘t just sit still when a supposedly close ally suddenly slaps the door at you.

[–] ramble81@lemmy.zip 51 points 4 days ago (6 children)

Frankly I’ve always thought the concept of military bases on foreign soil was creepy at best. And it’s hilarious how many people welcome it and the. Freak out when Saudi Arabia is looking at a base in the US. Now you know how it feels.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 24 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Contrary to certain narratives, and while it has some merit, US bases are in said countries at the explicit request of host countries because there is a perceived bigger and more existential threat next door. The host country is basically subcontracting the defense to the United States. Trolls would tell you that these countries were "influenced" or "coerced" to let American troops be stationed. Well, the US is not the one claiming the entirety of South China Sea, or invading Ukraine. South East Asia and EU want US troops to stay because of this. Poland is very US friendly, and so are Taiwan, Vietnam and Philippines. The Philippines elected to kick the American soldiers out 34 years ago, but are now regretting it with the benefit of hindsight due to territorrial dispute in South Chins Sea. Certain actors who push for US withdrawal stand to benefit from it for obvious reasons.

[–] Mrkawfee@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The US has over 700 bases in 80 countries. Countries "invite" them in just like countries "willingly" use the dollar for international trade. Its structural dependancy by an imperial power. The British did the same thing 150 years ago.

[–] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Although with Trump's shenanigans, US dollar is gradually losing its value.

Many countries consciously outsource defense to the US, so that they could invest in their own people instead. A clear evidence of this attitude is when Spain expressed hesitancy to increase their defense budget. Obama has a point that EU has been "free riding". However, the way Trump makes US allies to "pull their weight" is more coercive than diplomatic.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Trolls would tell you that these countries were "influenced" or "coerced" to let American troops be stationed.

Oh please, this is the bullshit propaganda we're all used to on mainstream. US does coerce them internally to have their bases everywhere. Biden even said repeatedly they would have to invent Israel if it wasn't there already. US bases are known to have caused deplorable rapes and crimes across the globe, which are then silenced or swept under the rug by the US. When the citizens complain and want them out, they are silenced by coercing the local governments. But I assume people who don't want racist rapists and criminals in their community are trolls too, right?

https://www.npr.org/2024/07/12/nx-s1-5035032/sexual-assault-cases-involving-u-s-military-personnel-strain-relations-with-japan

Bootlickers propagandists would tell you that these country specifically request US base to be stationed. Well let's change the subject to china to divert the topic cuz we all hate China here, am I right?

China is threat to south China sea, like US is in Central America. How would you like some Chinese or Russian bases in Cuba, Venezuala, or the Bahamas?

No, you'd fucking cry like a little pussy and embargo them. Oh no, you already do that. So much for countries that want to do what they want, right?

"Do as I say, not as I do."

No surprise there, so don't come with that self-aggrandizing, virtue signalling bullshit about threats and coercing.

One of the "threat" is currently playing out and already committed war crimes near Venezuela. And that isn't China.

You aren't fooling anyone. I'd go back to reddit where this shit flies because US bases just love reddit.

P.S. Fuck Chinese and Russian governments too.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I think rammstein was a capitulation cost wasn't it?

[–] Asfalttikyntaja@sopuli.xyz 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I thought Rammstein is a cool metal band?

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

They are.

As an aside they started doing their videos in Germany with Germans instead of America and they are fuckin beautiful.

Awesome visuals. https://youtu.be/skl6N3zGv-s

I dunno how to put this, uhh well produced sexual innuendo I guess is the best way to put it. https://youtu.be/thJgU9jkdU4

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 8 points 4 days ago

We have American border police at our airports, and they are able to act as if they're on home turf and not our fucking land -- including arresting us to take to America. I have a thought as to whom we can expel from here, obviously!

[–] Geobloke@aussie.zone 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

In the cold war it made sense. West Germany was a shattered shell of what it had been and what it would become. There was a concern that the USSR might invade, which Bonn had no hope of repelling by itself, probably the only effective method they might have would be to develop nuclear weapons. Nobody wanted more nuclear weapons, so alliances were developed and to get US skin in the game, troops were put in the firing line as an insurance policy

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 13 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It still does make sense considering that russia is literally invading Ukraine (at least once a decade...) and continue to probe NATO nations. Because, in that regard, it is less a "military base on foreign soil" and more just a NATO base on NATO soil. And, in theory, it is a good idea to let the country dumb enough to spend most of their GDP on a massive standing military to foot the bill.

But considering that the US is just as likely to be on russia's side in WW3...

[–] Geobloke@aussie.zone 6 points 3 days ago

It seems like the US is prepared to cede foreign policy in that region to who ever has the biggest stick. Trump is already losing influence and it doesn't look like any one else on the right has the ability to hold the MAGA movement together? Maybe MGT?

Anyway, way back in the Obama years, the US was already pivoting to the Asia pacific as its primary focus. Trump just ripped the band aid off Europe in his usual "diplomatic" fashion.

load more comments (3 replies)
[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 27 points 4 days ago

I'm guessing there's a lot of smaller steps they could take to make the US hurt, but yes, they shouldn't ignore it. Going to the media was probably step 1.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They're banking on the US eventually turning back around. The US presence in Germany has been historically very beneficial to them, and kicking them out is the kind of move that's hard to take back.later.

[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I know what Germany‘s useless government is banking on. It‘s the same naive strategy they tried in 2017 and that failed spectacularly. Actually no, it‘s the same naive strategy of „let‘s sit this out while we count our money from dubious side activities“ that Christ Democrats have been championing throughout my lifetime so far.

load more comments (7 replies)
[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 22 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Well, then throw the american soldats out, no?

[–] Dozzi92@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

I'm a soldat!

[–] Gammelfisch@lemmy.world 10 points 2 days ago

Throw the Amis out of Ramstein and use the base for the Bundeswehr and EU allies only.

[–] MonsterMonster@lemmy.world 72 points 4 days ago (15 children)

Trump is doing Putin's work.

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

isolating the USA so they cant intefere in eastern europe, and former soviet states. Also delaying or stopping the adoption of green energy, which will hurt RUSSIA in the long run,

load more comments (14 replies)
[–] verdi@feddit.org 14 points 3 days ago (5 children)

Trump is planning a pincer attack on Europe, Putin to the East and US to the West.

[–] PrimeMinisterKeyes@leminal.space 15 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The third pincer is already inside Europe, in the shape of fascist parties that get funding from the US.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Less of a third pincer and more of a fifth column, as it were.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

Trump is planning a pincer attack on Europe

Dude's got half the Navy off the coast of Venezuela just arbitrarily killing anyone in a boat. If he's planning to re-Normandy Europe by way of Greenland (presumably between island hoping off Taiwan into mainland China and sending ground troops to stamp out the Houthis in Yemen) he's coming at it with surprising subtlety.

[–] NewSocialWhoDis@lemmy.zip 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

As much as I understand the worry from Europe,

  1. this would be deeply unpopular across the political spectrum in the US. Even MAGA would hate this. Who's I do think Trump is a Russian stoog, he hasn't yet (can't?) consolidate enough power to do this unilaterally.
  2. all of Trump's actions seem to primarily revolve around what will benefit him personally, through his corruption of the Justice and financial systems. This would devastate markets across the world.

This strikes me as in line with the Trump administration firing/ ignoring any and all types of oversight.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago (3 children)

this would be deeply unpopular across the political spectrum in the US

more or less unpopular than having a pedophile as president?

[–] NewSocialWhoDis@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Having a pedophile is pretty unpopular... It's starting to rend MAGA apart. Ongoing open warfare would be much harder to hide than child abuse from 10-20 years ago though, so it would be harder for the MAGA faithful to deny.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] jj4211@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Broadly, I agree.

I would still worry as while they might not actively attack, they may happily just nope on out of helping any NATO allies. NATO allies are more self-sufficient than before, but NATO without US forces and equipment would be much weaker than an active US.

However, he might just go and pick up Greenland if things pop off. If NATO were chewing on a fight with Russia, I think it would be a safe bet that europe would barely spare the time to shake their head disapprovingly if US just went and occupied Greenland. I don't think they'd actually do a hot war with western european nations, but could easily see them just 'declaring' ownership of Greenland and no one stopping them.

[–] calcopiritus@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Just need a bit of propaganda. If half of Americans were convinces trump is a good president (the best even!), they can be convinced that invading Europe is a great idea.

Just tell them that wokeness has invaded Europe and they need being saved by the US.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Germany should build up a massive army to pre-emptively invade Russia. But first they should unite the rest of Europe. It is very pressing so there is no way to do this except by toppling their corrupt regimes. In fact lets start with Poland.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Germany should build up a massive army

The median German is 45 years old.

[–] SailorFuzz@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

History doing a pirouette

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] manxu@piefed.social 11 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Imagine how that must feel for Germany. First, they decide they want to tie Russia down to eternal peace by dangling infinite oil and gas riches in the face of Putin, and he decides to hell with riches, he wants WAR!

Then they have this relationship that lasted for 80 years with a former occupying nation that they submitted to and obeyed. They braved nationwide dissent over that nation stationing nuclear missiles on its peace-loving soil. They criminalized everything that nation disliked. As recently as (checks notes) now they supported a genocidal regime because they were told that's the thing to do.

And now all this sensible foreign policy blows up in their face, and they did nothing wrong, except bet on the crazy horses.

I mean, it beats BEING the genocidal regime, or - worse - being the target of the genocidal regime. But it does give one the impression that being sensible is not all that it's cracked up to be.

[–] Miaou@jlai.lu 2 points 3 days ago

Maybe if Germans stopped constantly betting on anyone that can undermine its neighbours to appease its own oligarchs, Europe wouldn't be in this mess. Germans would rather sacrifice every single east European than admit France was right. To their credit, this is probably less of a dilemma and more of an opportunity to them, so that was an obvious choice.

Your compassion is misplaced, the corruption of that racist genocidal country affect its neighbours first.

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›