The Iran conflict has exposed sharp differences in how European governments manage the political fallout of hosting U.S. military operations, with Spain emerging as the sole ally to draw a hard line - and Britain illustrating just how quickly that line can move.
Despite broad European facilitation of Operation Epic Fury through bases across the continent, political dissent at the top has largely failed to translate into operational constraints on the ground, according to The Wall Street Journal, as reported by "Hvylya".
Spain is the exception. Madrid has denied Washington permission to use jointly operated military bases on Spanish territory for attacks on Iran. Some U.S. aircraft previously stationed there have been relocated to bases in Germany and France.
Britain's trajectory has been more complicated. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially barred the U.S. from using U.K. air bases during the opening assault on Tehran. He later reversed course, saying the U.S. could fly "defensive" bombing missions targeting Iranian missile launchers from RAF Fairford in England and the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. Heavy B-1 bombers have since been photographed loading munitions and fuel at Fairford.
President Trump has shown little patience for European hesitation. "COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!" he posted on social media, after European allies initially refused to escort shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO's top military commander, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, offered a more measured assessment in Senate testimony, saying most European allies "have been extremely supportive." The continent hosts around 40 U.S. military bases and 80,000 service personnel - a network largely forged during the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union.
Previously: Foreign Affairs: Britain, Not Brussels, Holds the Key to Europe's Security Future.