Allies Use Basing Refusals as Leverage

European NATO members are increasingly willing to deny U.S. basing rights and close airspace in response to U.S. military actions they view as illegitimate or risky. Such refusals are becoming a tool for European governments to distance themselves from unpopular wars and shape U.S. behavior without outright breaking alliance ties. — If basing and airspace denials become normalized, NATO operational planning, U.S. expeditionary posture, and burden-sharing politics will all be materially reshaped.