AGI News
U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Europe: AGI Expert Analysis in the Media
Jeff Rathke
President of AGI
Jeffrey Rathke is the President of the American-German Institute in Washington, DC.
Prior to joining AGI, Jeff was a senior fellow and deputy director of the Europe Program at CSIS, where his work focused on transatlantic relations and U.S. security and defense policy. Jeff joined CSIS in 2015 from the State Department, after a 24-year career as a Foreign Service Officer, dedicated primarily to U.S. relations with Europe. He was director of the State Department Press Office from 2014 to 2015, briefing the State Department press corps and managing the Department's engagement with U.S. print and electronic media. Jeff led the political section of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that, he was deputy chief of staff to the NATO Secretary General in Brussels. He also served in Berlin as minister-counselor for political affairs (2006–2009), his second tour of duty in Germany. His Washington assignments have included deputy director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs and duty officer in the White House Situation Room and State Department Operations Center.
Mr. Rathke was a Weinberg Fellow at Princeton University (2003–2004), winning the Master’s in Public Policy Prize. He also served at U.S. Embassies in Dublin, Moscow, and Riga, which he helped open after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mr. Rathke has been awarded national honors by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as several State Department awards. He holds an MPP degree from Princeton University and BA and BS degrees from Cornell University. He speaks German, Russian, and Latvian.
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On April 29, U.S. President Donald Trump said the administration was reviewing troop numbers in Europe, and on May 1, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.
AGI President Jeff Rathke spoke to U.S. and international media about President Trump’s threats to remove troops from Europe in his first term, the value of overseas bases for the United States, and potential obstacles to moving or removing military personnel and infrastructure.
Reuters: Trump says the US is reviewing a potential reduction of its troops in Germany
TVP World: “Humiliated:” The real reason Trump is threatening to abandon Germany | Jeff Rathke
Australian Financial Review: Trump’s fight with Germany sparks fear on the ground
Reuters: Trump’s attacks on Europe’s leaders worsen transatlantic frost
The Guardian: Why does the US have military bases in Germany?
Fox News: Trump signals deeper Europe troop cuts beyond 5,000, setting up fight with Congress
NPR’s All Things Considered: Why U.S. troops are stationed in Germany, and what happens if some leave
