It is clear that President Donald Trump and his administration have been dissatisfied with how some NATO allies have handled Operation Epic Fury against Iran. The most recent issue came from the leftist government of Spain, which has further strained relations with our European allies:
Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its ?previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday.
“We don’t authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters ?in Madrid.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio ripped Spain over its decision in an interview over the weekend:
“We have countries like Spain, a NATO member, that we are pledged to defend, denying us the use of their airspace and bragging about it. Denying us the use of their bases. And there are other countries that have done that as well,” said Rubio, who didn’t specify what other countries he had in mind. “And so you ask yourself, ‘Well, what is in it for the United States?’”
Recent reports from the Italian press indicated that Italy had refused to allow the use of Naval Air Station Sigonella for operations against Iran. Senator Rubio, a strong supporter of NATO, expressed that these bases provide us with critical leverage, flexibility, and operational capacity across the globe. However, he then shared a sentiment that many of us have been thinking and longing to hear:
? SECRETARY RUBIO: If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, then that’s not a very good arrangement.
That’s a hard one to stay engaged in and say this is good for the United States. pic.twitter.com/C3IsTXQYnW
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 30, 2026
If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they’re attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, then that’s not a very good arrangement. That’s a hard one to stay engaged in and say this is good for the United States.
So all of that is going to have to be re-examined. All of it is going to have to be re-examined.
Rubio didn’t just say it in the interview. His remarks were posted to the Department of State X account. Meaning they want to make sure that the message is delivered and it is very clear to the NATO allies: Get yourself in order with us if you want us to continue to defend you.
“Without the United States, there is no NATO,” said Rubio. “An alliance has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be a one-way street. Let’s hope we can fix it.”
We’re fighting in our own national interests, but it’s also beneficial to Europe and the whole world if we put Iran in check. The Strait of Hormuz is more important to them, for example. Yet, they take this attitude. And that’s after all the billions we gave to help defend Ukraine.
When the Gulf allies are better allies than the Europeans, it’s time for a reality check for the Europeans. And frankly, if this is the end of NATO, so be it; it’ll be on the Euro-Weenies who, for decades, have never fully funded their NATO commitments, choosing instead to spend all their money on benefits for immigrants.
