Poll finds broad global opposition to US military bases

Demonstrators with the Italian group No Muos protest outside Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, on March 20, 2022. About 51% of Italian respondents in a recent survey said they are opposed to U.S. military presence in the country. (Facebook/No Muos)

By John Vandiver (Stars and Stripes)

Stuttgart, Germany — Poland and South Korea are the only foreign countries with strong public support for hosting U.S. military bases, according to a new poll that found opposition to the idea in 90 of 97 countries surveyed. 

The findings, released this month in an index compiled by the Nira Data polling organization, also found limited support for American bases in countries that host large numbers of U.S. forces.

In Germany, which hosts more than 30,000 troops, U.S. bases had a net approval rating of minus-9, with about 30% supporting them, 39% opposed and the rest uncertain. Results were nearly identical in the United Kingdom, where the U.S. operates several air bases. 

In Italy — home to U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force installations — support was even lower, with a net approval rating of minus-33. About 51% of respondents opposed the U.S. military presence there, according to the report. 

Poland was the most supportive country surveyed, with a net approval rating of plus-27 and about 51% of respondents backing U.S. bases. Only Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory included in the survey, showed stronger support. 

Among countries that host U.S. troops, South Korea had the second-highest support, with a net approval rating of plus-14, according to the poll. Romania and Japan each registered plus-2. 

Israel, which does not host permanent U.S. troop deployments, scored plus-21. 

Poland’s strong showing comes amid growing questions about the future of the U.S. force posture in Europe. Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced plans to pull 5,000 troops from Germany. 

The Pentagon has also canceled the deployment of a Fort Hood, Texas-based armored brigade of 4,000 soldiers to Europe, a move that would have involved thousands of soldiers rotating through Poland.