US to send colonel to Berlin to oversee Bundeswehr, Politico says
German army (Photo: Getty Images)
The United States is embedding a senior American officer directly into the command structure of the German army. This is happening against the background of a record deepening of military cooperation between Washington and Berlin, despite Trump's controversial statements, according to Politico.
The Politico's own sources state that a US colonel will receive a key role in planning missions for the German ground forces. Germany has already agreed to this condition.
Operations Division is the brain of the German army, the article states. It is where plans are developed and strategic decisions are prepared for future missions. The US officer's service in the German Army Command will begin in October.
A spokesman for the German army explained the main tasks:
- Further deepening of German-American cooperation;
- Optimization of joint operational capabilities;
- Strengthening of interaction within NATO.
Military officials call this the highest degree of integration, as something like this has not been seen in decades.
Politics vs. the army: the rift between Trump and Merz
Deep military integration is taking place at a difficult time, the article emphasizes. Political relations between the countries' leaders are rapidly deteriorating. The public rift between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is becoming increasingly visible.
However, the generals of both countries are demonstrating unity. Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, commander of the German army, told POLITICO: "The integration of a senior American officer into our Operations Division is also an expression of our mutual, deep trust."
The American side confirms this course. US Army spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Vonnie Wright noted that officer exchanges occur on a very selective basis.
Strategic significance for NATO and European security
Experts see a major political game in this appointment. The US is effectively recalibrating its presence in Europe. They need their own professional inside the German headquarters for better interoperability of troops.
According to Nico Lange, a former senior official at the German Defense Ministry, this decision is critically important right now.
"Especially at this stage, an integrated U.S. staff officer is of great value," the expert emphasized.
What preceded these events
Donald Trump is once again threatening to reduce the number of American troops in Germany. Washington has repeatedly accused its NATO allies of insufficient defense spending.
Trump has repeatedly called NATO "obsolete" and threatened to withdraw from it if allies do not increase defense spending.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has already warned of a possible withdrawal from NATO structures. Specifically, conditions were discussed under which the US might reconsider its membership in the alliance.
