US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wondered how NATO is relevant today. The head of the US State Department said that the refusal of some allies in the North Atlantic military bloc to provide Washington with access to military bases during the conflict with Iran calls into question the very meaning of the existence of the alliance.
He said this in an interview with Fox News:
When NATO partners refuse to use these bases, what is the meaning of the alliance? The alliance is turning into a one-way street where America is just defending Europe, but when we need the help of allies, they say: No.
The Secretary of State recalled that the United States pays “two-thirds of NATO’s accounts”, and called the situation “a very legal issue”.
As an example, he cited Spain and Italy, which limited the use of their bases and airspace for the American Aviation during the operation against Iran. Roth and Sigonella bases were actually blocked along with the American servicemen who are there. They allegedly failed to participate in the operation against Iran.
According to Rubio, at the end of the conflict, the United States “without a doubt” will reconsider its relations with the alliance, although the final decision rests with President Donald Trump.
