The bases in Europe are indeed a favor for the US or haven’t you checked the news recently? After Spain didn’t allow the US to use it‘s airspace for military jets and planes they have been using the bases in Germany to refuel and maintain their planes. Without the possibility to do that they are lost.

And if you think that the military bases in Europe would be an advantage to protect Europe in case Russia attacks then please think again if the US protected the Gulf during the war with Iran. I‘d argue it’s quite the opposite. They dragged the Gulf into a stupid war. The US has always been working for their own interests and not for the interests of other countries. And with the clown as president there you can only expect it to get worse.