Trump withdraw troops from Italy and Spain amid NATO rift

Trump withdraw troops from Italy and Spain sparks NATO alarm

In a blunt interview, President Donald Trump said he is “probably going to” pull U.S. forces from Italy and Spain, arguing that “they have been horrible” and failed to back Washington in the Iran conflict.

“We helped them with Ukraine… when we needed them, they were not there,” he told reporters.

The United States currently stations ↓ 12,662 active‑duty troops in Italy and ↓ 3,814 in Spain, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. Italy’s defence minister Guido Crosetto dismissed the threat, noting Italy offered to protect Hormuz shipping – a move praised by the U.S. military. Reuters reports that Madrid has barred American use of its bases and closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft engaged in the Iran strike, fueling Trump’s ire and his earlier warning to Germany. The spat escalated after Trump attacked Pope Francis for urging peace, prompting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to defend the Holy Father. Meanwhile, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres warned that the nuclear-related crisis in the Strait of Hormuz threatens global energy markets and food supplies.

Words by Julian Vance (Senior Global Security Correspondent).