US Cancels Armored Brigade Deployment to Poland

The Pentagon has abruptly canceled the planned deployment of a US armored brigade to Poland, the Wall Street Journal reported. The decision affects more than 4,000 soldiers and comes as President Donald Trump’s administration gradually reduces the US military presence in Europe.

Only days earlier, Washington announced the withdrawal of around 5,000 US troops from Germany. The move followed tensions between the White House and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who criticized Washington’s handling of the war with Iran.

Poland has sought to use the situation to its advantage. President Karol Nawrocki said Warsaw was ready to host some of the troops being withdrawn from Germany and had the infrastructure to do so. He also announced talks with the Trump administration on strengthening the US military presence on NATO’s eastern flank.

The issue has triggered a domestic political row between Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Tusk warned that Poland should not try to draw US troops away from allies, while still supporting a stronger American presence in the country.

Poland currently hosts around 10,000 US troops, while about 36,000 remain in Germany.

(max)