International security

This is Why US Will Keep Its Military Bases in Europe (It's Not About Russia)

The United States is unlikely to reduce its military presence in Europe since this is the most efficient instrument to control the continent along with North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, as well as trade routes in the Atlantic worth over $4 billion annualy, political analyst Andrey Koshkin told Radio Sputnik.

"Geopolitical configuration has forced the United States to hold on to Europe like to no other part of the world," he said. "This is what allows Washington to control North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, let alone trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean that yield more than $4 billion per year." The only way for the US to "keep tabs" on its allies in Europe is to be present in the region, the analyst added. The fact that Washington pays the largest share of NATO's military budget is not enough.