Foreign Affairs: US wars have historically relied on allied territory… Failure in Iran could change this equation

The American journal “Foreign Affairs” stated that the US military has been able for decades to overcome the obstacle of geographical distances thanks to allied countries allowing the use of their lands, ports, and military bases to wage wars and manage military operations around the world.

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The journal explained that this pattern has been repeated in the most prominent American wars, noting that Uzbekistan allowed the deployment of special operations units that participated in the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, while Pakistan provided logistical and intelligence support that helped sustain military operations there.

It added that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was launched from Kuwaiti territory, while American special units entered western Iraq via Jordan, and the American aircraft that carried out Operation “El Dorado Canyon” against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 1986 took off from military bases inside Britain.

The journal affirmed that the recent military operation against Iran, which Washington named “Epic Fury,” was no exception, as it also relied on facilities provided by host countries, whether by allowing the passage of forces and weapons or providing refueling and supply ports, in addition to enabling American aircraft to carry out offensive sorties from within their territories.

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“Foreign Affairs” opined that the war with Iran might push many of these countries to reconsider this pattern of military cooperation, especially after the US failed to fully protect its Gulf partners from Iranian missile and drone strikes.

The journal pointed out that access to ports was a decisive factor in American naval operations, noting that the aircraft carriers “USS Abraham Lincoln” and “USS Gerald R. Ford” depend directly on the regional port network for fuel, ammunition, spare parts, and maintenance services.

It also revealed that the aircraft carrier “USS Ford” was forced at one stage to leave the region after a fire before heading to the “Souda Bay” naval base on the Greek island of Crete for maintenance work, an example reflecting the extent of the US Navy’s dependence on allied infrastructure.

The journal concluded by warning that any international trend to restrict the use of its lands and ports in American wars could significantly limit Washington’s ability for rapid military deployment and undermine the military hegemony it has established since the end of World War II.

Sources: Foreign Affairs + Al-Masa Press