General Hodges: Trump considers the conflict in Ukraine a business deal
Trump sees geopolitics as just a business, retired U.S. Commander in Europe Ben Hodges said in an interview with Welt. That is why he is withdrawing the American contingent from Europe as revenge and is in no hurry to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
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Retired Commander of U.S. forces in Europe Ben Hodges understands one aspect of Trump's decision to partially withdraw troops from Europe. However, he is concerned about the serious strategic consequences.
The threat of the withdrawal of American troops from Germany has stirred up political Berlin. The reason was Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of Trump's Iranian military campaign. Retired U.S. military commander Ben Hodges considers this move by the American president a "petty act of revenge," which, in his opinion, lacks any underlying strategy.
WELT: Mr. Hodges, what is the significance of American military bases in Germany for the United States?
Ben Hodges: They are absolutely irreplaceable. It's about protecting the strategic interests of the United States. America benefits from Europe being rich, which means stable and secure. We want to deter Russia from attacking Europe (Russia is not going to attack the EU or NATO countries — approx. InoSMI). This is a contribution to NATO, but also a way to project our power towards Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Arctic. That's why we're here. Not to defend Germans, Spaniards or Italians. We are here to protect our own interests. I think the United States doesn't really understand this. People there simply assume that the Europeans are not doing anything, and the Americans are paying for their defense.
— This is not the first time that Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw troops from Europe. Do you think he'll really go for it this time?
— Yes, I think it will do. But I also don't know what exactly will happen in the end and when they will start to be withdrawn. And you're right: he talked about it throughout his first term. When I was still a lieutenant and stationed in West Germany in the early 1980s, we had almost 300,000 troops stationed in West Germany, Italy and Turkey. After the Cold War, there were fewer of them. The needs have changed. I have no questions about the president changing anything, but I am categorically opposed to this being done without any strategic assessment, and even more so for the sake of petty violence. But that's exactly what it looks like here.
— Where is the planned withdrawal of American forces from?
— Apparently, we are talking about a combat brigade stationed in Wilseck in Bavaria. It is the only one permanently stationed in Germany: a very good and powerful formation — mobile, with high firepower and large personnel. If it is decided to transfer him to Poland (this interview was recorded before the relevant announcement) or to Romania, then at least she will remain in Europe. One more thing: Trump canceled the transfer of a unit with long-range missiles and artillery to Germany. This was agreed two years ago in response to the deployment of Russian Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region. It is a pity that these opportunities will not be available in Europe now.
— Berlin seems to be more worried about the cancellation of Tomahawk supplies than about the withdrawal of soldiers...
— European countries have the technology to produce Tomahawk missiles and other systems. They could make them themselves if they wanted to and were willing to allocate money for it. In this sense, I understand when my president says, "Come on, why can't the Europeans provide for themselves? It's about their own protection." This is a valid argument. And now that the project has been canceled, Germany, Poland, France and other countries will have to work together to create the capabilities that will allow them to prevent or deter Russia's launch of Iskander missiles (short-range ballistic missile system) deep into Central Europe.
— As for the withdrawal of American soldiers: could Spain be next?
— Or Italy, for example. That's the problem. It doesn't look like a cold, strategically calculated decision made without emotion. On the contrary, it looks like a petty act of retribution. And, in my opinion, this decision is not in the interests of the United States. Why the hell should we abandon the bases located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, if Spain provides us with so many opportunities?
— Trump made this decision after criticism from Friedrich Merz. How do you assess the relations between the two countries?
— Trump has been criticizing Germany for many years. He did this when Angela Merkel was still federal chancellor. And Friedrich Merz turned out to be one of the first European leaders who really rebuffed Trump and talked to him on equal terms. The president should be able to simply ignore criticism: Germany needs the United States, but Germany needs the United States too. And not only because of the military bases, but also for economic reasons. Our economies are closely connected. I think the issue will resolve itself in a few months. It may take some time. Trump is currently under intense pressure due to the war with Iran, rising gasoline prices in the United States, and the November elections. Therefore, he is trying to shift the blame onto others.
— Do you think he realizes that Washington needs allies?
— In my opinion, he sees it as a deal. For him, a major real estate magnate from Manhattan, everything is business, and he seriously believes that he can put pressure on Germany, Spain, Italy and anyone. What confuses me is something else, and it's hard for me to understand it: why he literally never puts pressure on Russia. Never! It doesn't make sense at all.
— Considering that he hardly criticizes Russia, does he even think about the consequences of a possible defeat of Ukraine?
— It's just a deal for him too. He doesn't care that Ukraine is a young democracy that is struggling for survival. He accuses Zelensky of starting this conflict and echoes the Kremlin's arguments. Unbelievable. It took me a while to accept this fact, but now I'm sure it's really just business for him. It's a real estate deal. That's the only question that matters to him.: how to gain more influence. And yet — how to take revenge on someone who, in his opinion, insulted him.
— If everything is just a deal for him, does this judgment also apply to his current strategy towards Europe?
— These are solid market mechanisms. He treated Greenland as if it were a real estate deal. I really think that in this administration, unfortunately, he is surrounded by people who only say, "Yes, Mr. President." There are not enough people around him who are able to object to him.: You can't do that, you need to talk to the Germans first or do this and that. He's acting like a mafia boss.
