American policymakers organised their post-1945 bases in order to thwart potential airborne attackers, but soon realised the overseas bases also offered political benefits. Beginning with the NATO alliance, strategists thereafter placed US bases within the territories of vital allies. This tripwire strategy assuaged allied fears that American forces were more for appearance than for fighting war. Over time, American policymakers constructed bases capable of projecting American might into strategic regions. Ultimately, the fear that drove American basing policy after 1945 contributed to a classic security dilemma for American strategists; one in which threats worldwide are interpreted as dire threats to the American homeland.