The ordered withdrawal of roughly 5,000 U.S. troops surprised some policymakers and prompted urgent questions within NATO about timing and scope. The NATO commander’s comments indicating additional withdrawals are likely reinforce fears that reductions could continue and increase pressure on alliance planning. Lawmakers and military planners are alarmed by sudden posture changes and the broader pattern of canceled deployments. The situation is already having local impact: towns such as Vilseck warn of immediate economic and social disruption if forces depart.
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