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

© AFP 2023 / JANEK SKARZYNSKIUS troops land with parachutes at the military compound near Torun, central Poland, on June 7, 2016, as part of the NATO Anaconda-16 military exercise
US troops land with parachutes at the military compound near Torun, central Poland, on June 7, 2016, as part of the NATO Anaconda-16 military exercise - Sputnik International
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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.

© AP Photo / Vadim Ghirda US Navy flag bearers, backdropped by the radar building of a missile defense base, during an opening ceremony attended by U.S., NATO and Romanian officials at a base in Deveselu, Southern Romania, Thursday, May 12, 2016. Russia has expressed concerns that the Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems in Poland and Romania could be converted to station offensive Tomahawk cruise missiles.
 US Navy flag bearers, backdropped by the radar building of a missile defense base, during an opening ceremony attended by U.S., NATO and Romanian officials at a base in Deveselu, Southern Romania, Thursday, May 12, 2016. Russia has expressed concerns that the Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems in Poland and Romania could be converted to station offensive Tomahawk cruise missiles. - Sputnik International
US Navy flag bearers, backdropped by the radar building of a missile defense base, during an opening ceremony attended by U.S., NATO and Romanian officials at a base in Deveselu, Southern Romania, Thursday, May 12, 2016. Russia has expressed concerns that the Aegis Ashore anti-missile systems in Poland and Romania could be converted to station offensive Tomahawk cruise missiles.

German army soldiers who are members of the Stabilisation forces line up at the barracks Erzgebirgskaserne in Marienberg, eastern Germany, on April 10, 2015, during a military exercise Noble Jump that is part of Nato Response Force - Sputnik International
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"Physical presence in the countries and joint military drills are the one efficient mechanism that forces Europe to obey the US," he said.

Koshkin further turned to Washington's pivot to Asia. He pointed out that even when the US decreases its military presence somewhere in the world, these cuts do not affect the Pentagon's capabilities in the Asia-Pacific.

"The United States wants to expand NATO to the region since the bloc offers powerful capabilities," he said.

© AFP 2023 / ROBERT GONZAGAUSS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine, is anchored at Subic Bay port on August 6, 2015, after arriving on August 4 as part of its deployment in the Western Pacific
USS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine, is anchored at Subic Bay port on August 6, 2015, after arriving on August 4 as part of its deployment in the Western Pacific - Sputnik International
USS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine, is anchored at Subic Bay port on August 6, 2015, after arriving on August 4 as part of its deployment in the Western Pacific

The analyst views this as Washington's long-term strategy that will not be affected by the November presidential election.

"It is highly unlikely that anything will change when the next US president comes to power. This strategy will be expanded to include necessary military installations, financial streams and agreements. This will help to expand NATO to the Asia-Pacific since the rise of Russia and China is a matter of major concern to the US," he said.

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