> why does the US maintain bases in Europe when they have clearly zero imperial gain from it They're much closer to the Middle East and Africa, can be used for

> why does the US maintain bases in Europe when they have clearly zero imperial gain from it They're much closer to the Middle East and Africa, can be used for refuelling/restocking, provides intelligence and obviously NATO. > Perhaps someone better versed in geopolitics could explain why the US doesn't absolutely ditch Europe I don't think you'd have much opposition to the removal of US military bases, they're probably not popular with the local populations (certainly not Croughton). It's the US that has been the one that's been opposed to a European army or independent European military strategy outside of NATO under fear of loss of influence (and defence sales).