US plans to withdraw troops from German bases

The US has formally announced plans to withdraw 11,900 troops stationed in Germany, in what has been described as a significant blow to the post-War alliance. FRANCE 24’s international affairs commentator Douglas Herbert says while on the surface the decision is part of a broader geo-political shift to focus on Asia, on a deeper level it is likely to reflect President Donald Trump’s anger that Germany, and leader Angela Merkel, has not fulfilled its demand for an increase in NATO spending.