(Financial Times Europe, Gideon Rachman, 28 Apr 2026)
The American military presence in Europe, with over 40 bases and 85,000 soldiers, risks ending for the first time due to the war in Iran. Europe has shown reluctance or refusal to authorize the use of US bases for operations against Iran, sparking Trump’s anger who called the Europeans “cowards” and NATO a “paper tiger.” Rubio openly asked why the United States maintains bases in Europe if they cannot be used in critical moments. The Trump administration is reportedly preparing post-war punishments, including the expulsion of Spain from NATO and the refusal to recognize British sovereignty over the Falklands.
The tensions are mutual: Europeans accuse the US of launching an illegal and poorly conceived war without consulting NATO allies. European trust in American leadership is at historic lows, worsened by tariffs, the threat to invade Greenland, and Trump’s extreme statements. Polls show that in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany more people now see the US as a threat rather than an ally. Leaders like Sánchez in Spain and even those in Poland and Germany question Washington, while Europe begins to consider the idea of withdrawing the “invitation” to the American presence.
A military divorce would be costly for both. For the US, it would mean losing strategic bases useful for interventions in the Middle East and Africa, as well as reduced European purchases of American weapons. For Europe, with Russia still at war in Ukraine and threats to NATO territories, it would be risky: key capabilities such as air defense, intelligence, and heavy transport are lacking, and NATO’s command structure is centered on the US. Both sides understand they are stuck in an “unhappy marriage,” with fantasies of revenge but no real will for immediate separation.
European reluctance to use US bases
“The immediate cause of irritation is the war in Iran. European reluctance — and occasional refusal — to allow the United States to use its European bases for missions in Iran has infuriated Donald Trump, who called the Europeans ‘cowards’ and NATO a ‘paper tiger.’”
Mutual fury among allies
“What the Trump administration may not have fully understood is that the fury runs both ways. European politicians bitterly complain — sometimes publicly — that the United States launched a poorly conceived and illegal war without consulting their NATO allies.”
Collapse of European trust
“A Politico poll this month showed that in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany more people now consider the United States a threat rather than a ‘close ally.’”
Risk for Europe without the US
“Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, has warned that Europe cannot currently defend itself from Russia without American help.”
Unhappy transatlantic marriage
“For all these reasons, most European leaders remain extremely cautious about acting on their Love Actually dreams — and telling the American president to disappear.”
(Excerpt from Giuseppe Liturri’s newsletter)
