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Europe
Germany spends almost three quarters of a billion euros on US military bases
2019-08-22
A substantial amount, amd we are grateful. But do German troops have enough bullets?
A cute little map of US bases in Germany can be seen at the link.
[DW] The German government has provided €243 million ($270 million) over the past seven years to support US troops based in the country.

The sum accounts for costs such as benefits for former workers and operating costs associated with maintaining buildings and other properties.

Another €480 million in financial support has gone toward contributing to NATO-related construction costs in Germany, "almost exclusively" on account of the United States.

The numbers were revealed in a parliamentary response from the Finance Ministry to the Left party that was seen by the dpa news agency.

Germany is the European country where most US troops are posted, with 35,000 soldiers deployed there along with 17,000 American civilians. Around 12,000 German civilians also work in jobs connected to the US military.

The United States has suggested it may withdraw some troops stationed in Germany amid differences between Berlin and Washington over NATO contributions. Poland has been mooted as a possible new location for some US troops.

Chancellor Angela Merkel last week downplayed Washington's threats but recognized more needed to be done to improve German military capabilities.
Bullets and spare parts so equipment can be repaired are shortages even I have heard about..
Posted by:trailing wife

#9  Japan pays about $2 billion/year. South Korea pays $1 billion/year and the bases are rent free. Each take in more than that from operations cost and the salary spent by the GIs.
Posted by: Wharong Splat5641   2019-08-22 21:59  

#8  We're responsible for Russian paranoia? It's congenital and convenient as an excuse for them: "We're crazeeee don't you know?". My response is "we put down rabid dogs and fence in others. Choose your future habitat"
Posted by: Frank G   2019-08-22 21:33  

#7  Procopius2k, I have wondered what the relationship with Russia would have been like if we'd don't exactly that instead of expanding NATO right up to their border and inflaming the Russian paranoia.
Posted by: ruprecht   2019-08-22 21:22  

#6  The sum accounts for costs such as benefits for former workers and operating costs associated with maintaining buildings and other properties.

My BS detector is pinging.
Are the benefits for former workers simply government benefits that would be paid no matter where the workers were employed?
Are the building operating costs for maintaining leased buildings?
Posted by: SteveS   2019-08-22 12:48  

#5  If a German complains about America, or American troops in Germany, simply say "а ты говоришь по русски?" (Do you speak Russian?)

Of course if I ever heard about a Frenchman or Englishman say anything bad about America, I would simply say "Sprichst du Deutch?" (Do you speak German?)
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia   2019-08-22 11:58  

#4  When they had the draw down for desert storm the locals started sweating bullets because the locals were losing customers and they feared base closures.
Posted by: Flesing Wittlesbach3140   2019-08-22 10:17  

#3  Pretty good return on investment considering the thousands of German nationals working on US bases, leases, landing fees, money spent by GI's on the economy. No telling what else.

Next time you want to get one over on a German, Austrian, or a Swiss, ring me up. I'd like to closely observe.
Posted by: Besoeker   2019-08-22 10:07  

#2  270 million doesn't sound like alot over 7 years too me.Especially since we are pretty much covering your ass as you let your own military go to shit.
Posted by: chris   2019-08-22 09:56  

#1  All of which should have been closed when the Wall came down. Mission accomplished. Everything else is a very expensive and dangerous entangling foreign alliance.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2019-08-22 09:49  

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