2. Iceland
In 1941, the United States took over the occupation of Iceland from Britain, aiming to shield the island from possible Nazi control. Iceland’s strategic spot in the North Atlantic made it essential for protecting Allied shipping convoys from German U-boat attacks. This move marked the first time U.S. troops were stationed in a neutral European country during World War II. The American presence laid the groundwork for Iceland’s later role in NATO, with the Keflavík Air Base serving as a cornerstone of Western defense well into the Cold War.
