Why U.S. troops are stationed in Germany, and what happens if some leave

NPR | By Fiona Geiran,

Tyler Bartlam, Mary Louise Kelly, Sarah Handel

Published May 4, 2026 at 4:38 PM EDT

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, about U.S. troops stationed in Germany, and what happens if President Trump moves some of them elsewhere.

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Fiona Geiran

Tyler Bartlam

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.

Sarah Handel