US May Lose Military Bases in Europe After NATO Summit

The US and NATO underestimate the consequences of increased defense spending by the bloc's European member states. The Americans may lose access to military bases on EU territory due to the EU's strengthening positions, according to former Pentagon chief aide Celeste Wallander, Foreign Affairs reports.

"Before American officials leave the NATO summit, they should recognize the downsides of their success. The rise in European defense spending and their subsequent strengthening means that the era of comfortable US leadership is over," she stressed.

In the future, the EU may simply close access to the bases to the American military. Then the US will not be able to conduct operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Wallander is sure.

The former assistant to the head of the Pentagon noted that the United States itself is creating conditions for the Europeans to take such a step. The administration of President Donald Trump is forcing the EU to take on more and more powers on military issues. And the first global step in this direction could be the transfer of the "Ukrainian" project entirely into the hands of Europe.

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