“ONE-WAY STREET” ENDS: Marco Rubio MOVES TO AX 80% OF EUROPE BASES

By Pamela Geller | April 7, 2026

Screengrab via X

As of April 2026, Marco Rubio is weighing a dramatic overhaul of the American military footprint in Europe—reviewing plans to shutter as much as 80% of U.S. bases after key NATO allies, including Spain and France, refused to grant access to bases and airspace during the Iran conflict.

Framed under an “America First” doctrine, Rubio is openly questioning why the U.S. should continue spending roughly $60 billion annually to defend Europe if those same allies won’t back American operations when it matters—calling the current arrangement a “one-way street.” The proposal signals a potential strategic pivot away from the long-standing U.S. security umbrella over Europe, igniting debate between critics who warn of abandoning NATO commitments and supporters who argue it’s a long-overdue reckoning with allies seen as unwilling to carry their share of the burden.

Trump: “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation, now militarily decimated, of Iran.
The U.S.A. needs nothing from NATO, but ‘NEVER FORGET’ this very important point in time!”

Trump: NATO is a paper tiger now… it all began with Greenland, we want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, bye bye.

• The Conflict: Rubio, acting on an “America First” directive, stated the U.S. must “reexamine” its relationship with NATO allies after they denied support during the crisis.
• “One-Way Street”: Rubio questioned the utility of funding and staffing bases for European security if those allies refuse to support U.S. security interests.
• Proposed Shift: The proposal argues for reducing the $60 billion annual cost of protecting Europe, suggesting a pivot away from maintaining the large, existing footprint.
• Allied Reactions: While some critics view this as a potential abandonment of NATO commitments, proponents argue it is a necessary reaction to allies “freeloading”.