European Leaders Refuse to Apologize to Trump as Pentagon Pulls 5,000 Troops From Germany
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 13
European Leaders Refuse to Apologize to Trump as Pentagon Pulls 5,000 Troops From Germany
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 13
Friedrich Merz held his ground after Trump attacked his criticism of the U.S. war in Iran, even after the Pentagon abruptly announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
That response reflects a broader European tactic: leaders are no longer rushing to placate Trump when they challenge his handling of the conflict.
Their defiance is driven by frustration over limited influence on the war and over its mounting economic and security fallout for Europe.
Trump cast Merz’s claim that Washington had “no strategy” in Iran as support for an Iranian nuclear weapon, echoing his similar attacks on Pope Leo XIV for criticizing the war.
With Europe mirroring Trump's tactics, can this new era of confrontational diplomacy de-escalate the worsening global energy crisis?
Is the irreversible fracturing of the transatlantic alliance the most significant long-term consequence of the ongoing war in Iran?
As China steps in to mediate the Iran conflict, will its economic leverage succeed where Western diplomacy has failed?