Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio challenged NATO’s utility to the United States in a Fox News interview aboard Air Force One en route to Beijing.
- He pointed to Spain’s refusal to allow U.S. use of bases or airspace for aircraft tied to Operation Epic Fury and to Italy’s block on using the Sigonella base for missions targeting Iran.
- Rubio said basing rights were his main reason for backing NATO and credited Portugal, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria for quickly agreeing to U.S. requests.
- No change to U.S. membership or NATO policy has been announced, but his comments have intensified scrutiny of how alliance members grant access and share burdens.
- Access to European bases lets U.S. aircraft reach the Middle East and Africa faster, so denials can force longer routes, add strain on crews, and narrow options during a crisis.