Rubio: ‘What’s the purpose’ of NATO alliance?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the value of the U.S. staying in NATO, arguing that the alliance’s practical benefits-especially access to bases in Europe-are undermined when NATO partners refuse U.S.requests during crises. He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity while traveling to a NATO summit in China, noting that several countries blocked U.S. use of air bases and airspace in the conflict with Iran.
Rubio said NATO was supported in part as it gave the U.S. “basing rights” that enable operations in places like the Middle East or Africa. But, he argued, refusals by countries such as spain and others effectively make NATO feel like an arrangement where members help only when it suits them. He pointed to examples including Italy’s limits on using the Sigonella Naval Air Station for Iran-bound operations and Spain’s denial of base and airspace access for aircraft used in Operation Epic Fury.
At the same time, Rubio credited some NATO countries-like Portugal-for being supportive “before we even asked,” and also mentioned positive cooperation from Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania.Still, he said the recent lack of support raises a “very legitimate” question about NATO’s purpose for the U.S. and whether the alliance primarily protects members rather than advancing American national interests.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio wondered what the point of the United States remaining in NATO is if countries in the alliance won’t help the U.S. when needed.
Rubio made the comments on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity aboard Air Force One en route to the summit in China. He questioned whether the countries are actually committed to an alliance with the U.S. after several NATO countries refused to grant the U.S. permission to use their air bases for operations in the war with Iran. Rubio was miffed with those countries’ decision.
Recommended Stories
“I’ve been a supporter of NATO throughout my career in the Senate,” Rubio told Hannity in the interview. “And one of the reasons why I supported NATO was because it gave us basing rights. It allowed us to have bases in Europe that we could use in a contingency, like something in the Middle East where you could have planes flying from some country in Europe and actually protecting our national interest in the Middle East, as an example, or in Africa.”
“And so when you have NATO partners denying you the use of those bases — when the primary reason why NATO is good for America is now being denied to us by Spain, as an example — then what’s the purpose of the alliance?’ Rubio said. “It starts becoming a ‘they’re allies when they want to be’ kind of thing.”
Some NATO countries denied U.S requests for assistance in its war with Iran, ranging from prohibiting the U.S. from using air bases and airspace. Italy said the U.S. couldn’t use Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily for aircraft that were going to be used in military operations in Iran. Other countries, such as Spain, said the U.S. couldn’t use bases or airspace for aircraft being used in Operation Epic Fury. The lack of cooperation has further increased tension between the U.S. and the alliance.
Rubio, however, credited several NATO countries that were helpful to the U.S., assisting with requests in some instances “before we even asked.” He highlighted Portugal’s efforts in his remarks to Hannity, while also mentioning Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania in a positive light.
“And look, to be fair, there are countries in NATO that were very helpful to us,” Rubio said. Just singling one out, Portugal. They said yes before we even asked — told them what the question was.”
CHINA EXERCISES LINGUISTIC LICENSE TO ALLOW SANCTIONED RUBIO INTO COUNTRY
“Poland. So there are countries — Romania, Bulgaria,” Rubio added before criticizing those countries that refused to help the U.S. and questioning whether the U.S. should remain in NATO after recent events.
“Others like Spain have been atrocious, just horrifying,” Rubio said. “So, I do think there are some very legitimate questions to ask about NATO, and that is: What is the purpose of being in an alliance whose benefit to us is these basing rights if, in a time of conflict like the one we’ve had with Iran, they can deny us the use of those bases?”
“So, why are we there for? Only to protect them but not to further our national interest?” Rubio asked. “This is a very legitimate question that we need to address.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
