Graham to Trump: Consider removing ‘US bases from countries who won’t let us fly from them’ - The Hill

The Hill
March 21, 2026
3 min read

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Sen. Lindsey Graham has urged President Trump to consider withdrawing U.S. military bases from countries that restrict American military flight operations within their borders. The recommendation reflects a hardline approach to foreign policy leverage, suggesting the Trump administration use base presence as a negotiating tool to secure greater operational freedom for U.S. forces abroad. Graham's proposal aligns with the administration's broader push to reassess America's military commitments and extract concessions from allied nations. The suggestion could reshape U.S. military posture in key regions, particularly in Europe and the Middle East where host-nation agreements govern American base operations. It remains unclear whether Trump will adopt the recommendation, but the statement signals Graham's influence on the administration's evolving defense and alliance strategy.

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