Rubio Questions NATO’s Purpose Over Spain’s Iran War Base Ban as Trump Heads to China
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · May 14
Rubio Questions NATO’s Purpose Over Spain’s Iran War Base Ban as Trump Heads to China
7 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · May 14
Aboard Air Force One to Beijing, Marco Rubio said NATO loses value for Washington when allies deny U.S. access to European bases for Middle East contingencies, singling out Spain.
Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in the Iran war and had already barred use of the jointly operated Rota and Morón bases, while Italy also imposed restrictions.
France refused deeper involvement as well, drawing fresh criticism from Donald Trump, while European leaders defended their stance by arguing the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran do not trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective-defense clause.
Britain allowed base access but ruled out broader participation, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the conflict is not Britain’s war and urging de-escalation and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The dispute unfolded as Rubio traveled to China despite past Beijing sanctions; AFP reported China may have altered the Mandarin transliteration of his name to sidestep the entry ban.
As European allies deny crucial military support, is America's ability to wage expeditionary warfare now permanently weakened?
China welcomed a sanctioned U.S. official by changing his name. What does this diplomatic maneuver reveal about future U.S.-China relations?
With allies calling the Iran conflict 'not our war,' is the NATO alliance now just a 'paper tiger'?