While I won't see every base in Europe should be kept, losing one is permanent. So choose carefully.
American bases in Europe are a national asset:
The United States operates a vast network of military installations across Europe, serving as a crucial foundation for NATO operations, regional deterrence, and global power projection. This is now under review by the US administration.
On April 8, General Christopher Cavoli, Commander of US European Command (EUCOM), told a Congressional committee that Europe is “the first line of defense of our homeland.” ...
The Pentagon says it’s currently taking “a hard look” at where forces are stationed. ...
As of early 2025, there were roughly 84,000 US service members across the United States European Command (EUCOM) area of responsibility, including troops deployed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Yes, Europe is America's first line of defense for the east coast.
In addition to being a shield, those bases represent a sword for reaching enemies around Europe.
Of course, I have a bias for keeping the bases that go back a long time, as I advocated in Military Review (see pages 15-20).
UPDATE: While working on an essay I ran across this statement from President Truman in September 1945:
The future foreign interest of the United States will be in the Western Hemisphere and in the Pacific.
Explain that to the Fulda Gap defenders.
Let's not--again--be hasty in writing off the importance of Europe. [From LaFeber, America, Russia, and the Cold War, p. 30]
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: Map from the initial article.
