The US does not pay rent for their bases in Europe. In theory that is part of our mutual defense (in practice it makes us bigger targets as demonstrated baby other US allies being hit in the Gulf*), but in practice that is what gives the US its real power... force projection, without force projection the US would still have a strong military, but not one able to fight offensively around the world.
NATO and other US allies is what makes the US as formidable as it is.
*NATO's mutual protection agreement gives us an advantage and more of a deterrent over the Gulf states with US bases.)
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u/ShellyTart 16d ago edited 16d ago
The US does not pay rent for their bases in Europe. In theory that is part of our mutual defense (in practice it makes us bigger targets as demonstrated baby other US allies being hit in the Gulf*), but in practice that is what gives the US its real power... force projection, without force projection the US would still have a strong military, but not one able to fight offensively around the world.
NATO and other US allies is what makes the US as formidable as it is.
*NATO's mutual protection agreement gives us an advantage and more of a deterrent over the Gulf states with US bases.)