---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The withdrawal of more than half a…"
description: "\"The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as 'the biggest pullout eve..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg"
---

#  The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops…

![“The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as 'the biggest pullout ever by an army not defeated in battle.'” quote by Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg)

> “The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as 'the biggest pullout ever by an army not defeated in battle.'”

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The massive, non‑combat withdrawal of Russian forces from Germany after the Cold War is historically unprecedented.

**In simple terms:** Russia left Germany without being defeated.

Key Takeaway

Study the strategic implications of large withdrawals.

Themes

history military politics

Mood

analytical historical

Type

strategic educational

When to use this quote

- foreign policy analysis
- military strategy
- post‑Cold War studies

Key Concepts

geopolitics power transition

Questions to Reflect On

- What are the long‑term effects of this pullout?
- How do allies respond to sudden troop reductions?

A Different Perspective

Such withdrawals can create power vacuums and instability.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Army Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army-defeated-2305354/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Biggest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest/) [Biggest Pullout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biggest-pullout-4931197/) [Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeated/) [Ever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ever/) [Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany/) [Germany 1991](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany-1991-4931199/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Historians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historians/) [Million](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/million/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Pullout Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pullout-army-4931198/) [Russian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russian/) [Russian Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russian-troops-2001628/) [Since](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/since/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Withdrawal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/withdrawal/)

## Related quotes

> [“For unlike many of our previous opponents, Russian troops tended to stand firm when under air attack. Rather than dive for cover, most would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmit-mahlke/for-unlike-many-of-our-previous-opponents-russian-troops-tended-to/)

[Helmit Mahlke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmit-mahlke/)

> [Like an army defeated the snow hath retreated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/like-an-army-defeated-the-snow-hath-retreated/)

[William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/)

> [Like an army defeated The snow hath retreated, And now doth fare ill On the top of the bare hill; The Ploughboy is whooping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/like-an-army-defeated-the-snow-hath-retreated-and-now-doth-fare-ill/)

[William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/)

> [The general of a large army may be defeated, but you cannot defeat the determined mind of a peasant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-general-of-a-large-army-may-be-defeated-but-you-cannot-defeat-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [As for Vietnam, what matters is that Kennedy successfully resisted pressure to send anything more than military advisers, a stance that was a likely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/as-for-vietnam-what-matters-is-that-kennedy-successfully-resisted/)

[Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/)

> [The years between thirty-five and sixty-five revolve before the passive mind as one unexplained, confusing merry-go-round. True, they are a merry-go-round of ill-gaited and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/the-years-between-thirty-five-and-sixty-five-revolve-before-the/)

[F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/)

> [If I don't see my kids for six days, I start to get withdrawal pains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-silver/if-i-don-t-see-my-kids-for-six-days-i-start-to-get-withdrawal-pains/)

[Ron Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-silver/)

> [For the world is an ever-elusive and ever-disappointing mirage only from the standpoint of someone standing aside from it—as if it were quite other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-the-world-is-an-ever-elusive-and-ever-disappointing-mirage-only/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The dark might be dark, but at least we don’t have to look at ourselves when we’re standing in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-dark-might-be-dark-but-at-least-we-don-t-have-to-look-at/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Do you want to increase your hunger for the Lord? Try weaning yourself from the world's diet- be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-leigh-demoss/do-you-want-to-increase-your-hunger-for-the-lord-try-weaning-yourself/)

[Nancy Leigh DeMoss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-leigh-demoss/)

> [“You can withdraw from the sufferings of the world — that possibility is open to you and accords with your nature — but perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/you-can-withdraw-from-the-sufferings-of-the-world-that-possibility-is/)

[Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/)

> [I dare suggest that the composer would do himself and his music an immediate and eventual service by total, resolute and voluntary withdrawal from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-babbitt/i-dare-suggest-that-the-composer-would-do-himself-and-his-music-an/)

[Milton Babbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-babbitt/)

> [A journal takes the place of a confidant, that is, of friend or wife; it becomes a substitute for production, a substitute for country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-journal-takes-the-place-of-a-confidant-that-is-of-friend-or-wife-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“It was gentler here, softer, its seethe the quietest of whispers, as if, in deference to a drawing room, it had quite deliberately put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-aiken/it-was-gentler-here-softer-its-seethe-the-quietest-of-whispers-as-if/)

[Conrad Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-aiken/)

> [A decline in the national housing price level would need to be substantial to trigger a significant rise in foreclosures, because the vast majority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/a-decline-in-the-national-housing-price-level-would-need-to-be/)

[Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/)

## More by Stephen Kinzer

> [It is truly vital for the United States to assure that it is not attacked with weapons of mass destruction; to prevent wars in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/it-is-truly-vital-for-the-united-states-to-assure-that-it-is-not/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Land ownership in Guatemala is more unequal than anywhere else in Latin America. Roughly 90 percent of Guatemalan farms are too small to support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/land-ownership-in-guatemala-is-more-unequal-than-anywhere-else-in/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Honduras is strongly anti-Communist, maintains no diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, and has provided vital support for United States-backed rebels fighting to overthrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/honduras-is-strongly-anti-communist-maintains-no-diplomatic-relations/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Any country that grants asylum to Snowden risks retaliation from the United States, including diplomatic isolation and costly trade sanctions. Several don't seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/any-country-that-grants-asylum-to-snowden-risks-retaliation-from-the/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Mayors of New York are almost automatically national figures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/mayors-of-new-york-are-almost-automatically-national-figures/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Human Rights Watch wants Rwandans to be able to speak freely about their ethnic hatreds, and to allow political parties connected with the defeated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/human-rights-watch-wants-rwandans-to-be-able-to-speak-freely-about/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [“Acheson immediately understood the urgency of this message. He summoned Ambassador Franks and told him that the United States resolutely opposed “the use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/acheson-immediately-understood-the-urgency-of-this-message-he/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [During the 1980s, international interest in the Nicaraguan war was intense. No conflict since the Spanish civil war had provoked such passion around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/during-the-1980s-international-interest-in-the-nicaraguan-war-was/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [As long as Iran believes that its security will be increased by having a nuclear program, it's going to pursue its program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/as-long-as-iran-believes-that-its-security-will-be-increased-by/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Countries that control water are likely to be the big winners of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/countries-that-control-water-are-likely-to-be-the-big-winners-of-the/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [“It is a great tool of dictators and tyrants, who want to get masses of people to do what they want, to make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/it-is-a-great-tool-of-dictators-and-tyrants-who-want-to-get-masses-of/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [No offense to Iceland, but Latin America is where the fugitive leaker Edward Snowden should settle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/no-offense-to-iceland-but-latin-america-is-where-the-fugitive-leaker/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [Castro has lived almost his entire life as a clandestine revolutionary. To such figures, truth is always malleable, always subservient to political goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/castro-has-lived-almost-his-entire-life-as-a-clandestine/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

> [During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Latin America moved decisively away from military rule and toward civilian democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/during-the-late-1970s-and-early-1980s-latin-america-moved-decisively/)

[Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

[Explore all 163 Stephen Kinzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/)

## More Army quotes

> [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/)

[Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/)

> [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/)

[Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/)

> [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/)

[James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/)

> [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

> [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/)

[Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/)

> [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/)

[William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/)

> [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. It's pretty much what I feel like wearing that day, from a floral-print dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/personally-i-don-t-really-have-a-set-style-or-look-it-s-pretty-much/)

[Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/)

> [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/)

[Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/)

> [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/)

[William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/)

> [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/)

[Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/)

[Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as 'the biggest pullout ever by an army not defeated in battle.'",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Stephen Kinzer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-million-russian-troops-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Army"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-million-russian-troops-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/stephen-kinzer-2514_army_the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-milli_1404557.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is…” — Stephen Kinzer",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Stephen Kinzer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The withdrawal of more than half...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-million-russian-troops-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/the-withdrawal-of-more-than-half-a-million-russian-troops-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
